HELPING HUGO
Donation protected
Hugo Ford is a country man at heart who enjoys the simple things in life. He has traveled and accomplished many things. His absolute dedication to hunting, fishing and wildlife, his life’s work, has enabled him to guide for more than 45 years.
For the past 18 years, Hugo has called Kingsville, Texas his home and Baffin Bay “his waters.” His enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors include fishing, hunting, quail, dogs, and ranch management. He feels deeply blessed to perform a job he truly loves while sharing his expertise and experience with others.
In the past year, Hugo has battled a life and limb-threatening, invasive bacterial infection called Microbacterium marinum in both hands and arms. This uncommon, slow-growing yet aggressive strain of bacterium is difficult to diagnose, resistant to treatment, and closely related to tuberculosis and leprosy. It is often confused with Vibrio, a flesh-eating bacterium found in coastal waters. When accurately diagnosed, multiple types of medications are used for extended periods of time in conjunction with surgical debridements to remove the bacterium and necrosis. Despite all efforts, amputation is often required to contain this destructive infection.
For Hugo, the escalation of the battle against Microbacterium marinum began in early December 2017, after he experienced many weeks of swelling and severe pain in both hands, appointments with physicians and specialists and finally hospitalization. Despite every treatment, his health and condition continued to decline. In late December, he was transferred to Houston to the care of expert physicians and surgeons specializing in tropical disease to save his life, arms, and hands.
By May 2018, despite all efforts, medications, multiple surgeries and skin grafts this infection had taken its toll and caused irreversible damage and systemically devastated his body. The necrosis of soft-tissue, muscles, and tendons made amputation of the right arm the only option possibly to aid in Hugo’s recovery and possibly save his left arm and hand.
After 10 months of hospitalization and 25 surgeries, Hugo is currently in the hospital in Fort Worth. In the upcoming weeks, he will undergo more reconstructive surgery on his left arm and hand, intensive daily physical therapy, and the overwhelming process of being fit with and learning to use his new prosthetic arm. Hugo’s journey back to health will be long and difficult, but to anyone who knows Hugo, his grit, and determination along with the incredible love and support of his family, friends and South Texas, he plans to be back home October 1 and to guide quail hunts again soon.
For the past 18 years, Hugo has called Kingsville, Texas his home and Baffin Bay “his waters.” His enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors include fishing, hunting, quail, dogs, and ranch management. He feels deeply blessed to perform a job he truly loves while sharing his expertise and experience with others.
In the past year, Hugo has battled a life and limb-threatening, invasive bacterial infection called Microbacterium marinum in both hands and arms. This uncommon, slow-growing yet aggressive strain of bacterium is difficult to diagnose, resistant to treatment, and closely related to tuberculosis and leprosy. It is often confused with Vibrio, a flesh-eating bacterium found in coastal waters. When accurately diagnosed, multiple types of medications are used for extended periods of time in conjunction with surgical debridements to remove the bacterium and necrosis. Despite all efforts, amputation is often required to contain this destructive infection.
For Hugo, the escalation of the battle against Microbacterium marinum began in early December 2017, after he experienced many weeks of swelling and severe pain in both hands, appointments with physicians and specialists and finally hospitalization. Despite every treatment, his health and condition continued to decline. In late December, he was transferred to Houston to the care of expert physicians and surgeons specializing in tropical disease to save his life, arms, and hands.
By May 2018, despite all efforts, medications, multiple surgeries and skin grafts this infection had taken its toll and caused irreversible damage and systemically devastated his body. The necrosis of soft-tissue, muscles, and tendons made amputation of the right arm the only option possibly to aid in Hugo’s recovery and possibly save his left arm and hand.
After 10 months of hospitalization and 25 surgeries, Hugo is currently in the hospital in Fort Worth. In the upcoming weeks, he will undergo more reconstructive surgery on his left arm and hand, intensive daily physical therapy, and the overwhelming process of being fit with and learning to use his new prosthetic arm. Hugo’s journey back to health will be long and difficult, but to anyone who knows Hugo, his grit, and determination along with the incredible love and support of his family, friends and South Texas, he plans to be back home October 1 and to guide quail hunts again soon.
Co-organizers (2)
Hugo Ford
Organizer
Kingsville, TX
Kami Schlossnagle
Co-organizer