Jacob Reilly’s road to recovery and restoration

Our precious son was viciously attacked both during AND again after a recent rec league basketball game- by a disgruntled, hateful player from the opposite team. Multiple witnesses, including team members, refs, and spectators have confirmed that he did nothing to provoke the assailant- his only “crime”? An amazing scoring run in the second half of the game. When he was first attacked during the game, the ref instantly expelled the player not only from the game, but from the league entirely- bc his behavior was so egregious and senseless. He was immediately kicked out of the facility. Yet, instead of recognizing his wrong and accepting the consequences of his own actions, he chose hatred and retaliation toward my son. He waited in the parking lot, stalking and premeditating his next attack. When the game ended and my son was walking in the parking lot toward his car, the assailant snuck up from behind and “sucker punched” my unknowing and defenseless son in the back of his head, knocking him unconscious as he fell to the ground and sustained yet another head trauma.

This act of violence caused life threatening injuries- fractured skull, seizures, and brain hemorrhaging. The police and EMT’s immediate response and actions, along with the medical team at ECMC (Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, NY) saved his life. His father was notified and rushed to the hospital. He contacted me and my daughter and we got in the car and drove all through the night from MD to Buffalo to rush to his side.

We arrived to find him completely helpless in a coma, being kept alive on a ventilator. The next 48 hours proved to be the most scary and trying moments of our lives. Through the faithful fasting and prayers of so many friends and family, friends of friends, and even kind strangers, he has now miraculously come out of the coma and off the vent and was able to squeeze our hands, briefly open his eyes, comprehend some communication, and even managed to bless us with a smile.

We are overwhelmed and eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received and for the healing which has already taken place. To God alone be the praise and glory for his healing touch, but also for blessing those on the scene and on his medical team with the wisdom and talents they are equipped with.

Jacob Reilly is an honest, sincere, sensitive, loving, and hard working young man. He is a proud, blue-collar worker who comes home everyday covered in dirt, sweat, and asphalt from putting in a full, hard, and honest day’s work. He takes pride in his work- his 22 year old hands bear the callouses of what appears to already be a lifetime of labor. He would never ask for money or any sort of “hand out”. In fact, during the winter months when he cannot work in his field, instead of collecting unemployment as many in his profession choose to do, he refuses to apply for it and instead works tirelessly in the fast food industry to get by until spring comes around and he can get back to the work he loves.

But the realities and long term nature of this brutal attack and now uphill journey toward recovery are overwhelming. He will be unable to work for several months while his head fracture heals and he rehabs and receives mental, PT and OT treatment. The bleeding on his brain has significantly affected his decision making, impulse control, and behavior capacities. He will struggle with emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and personality alterations such as anger, frustration, irritability, and outbursts which will literally be beyond his ability to control. Once he is eventually released from the hospital and rehab, we will need to relocate him from NY to MD so that I can take care of him full time and assist him through months of the long healing process ahead.

We are facing future/several months of hospital bills, doctor/PT/OT and radiology copays, as well as transportation and lodging costs while I remain in NY for now, etc and we would be so humbled and appreciative of any small donation which could be given. We want to be very intentional to communicate that the most cherished gift you can offer our son and our family is the priceless gift of the outpouring of continued love and prayers. We do not want anyone to feel pressured to give financially. Please only consider offering a small gift if you are able and it would not cause any burden on you or your family. Anything received will only go directly toward his care.

We are SO blessed and thankful to have the opportunity to have our son here with us. We could have lost him. We look into the future with gratitude and peace and faith on the road ahead. Again, we thank you for all of your love, support, and prayers, which already have, and will continue, to sustain us.