Help save Austin’s Life

In late September, Austin suffered a severe brain injury. He was admitted to Kent Hospital in Warwick, RI, where we were told his prognosis was not good. After 2 days, the neurologist there decided that it would be best to get him to a Neuro-Intensive Care Unit. Luckily, Massachusetts General Hospital decided to accept him. For several weeks Austin stayed in the intensive care until he was stable. He was initially on full life support. Since then, he has had a tracheostomy put in with an oxygen mask for breathing and a peg that allows him to be fed directly to his stomach. He was in a coma for those weeks at Mass General and now that his body is functioning better he is considered to be in a vegetative state.

On November 8th, he was moved to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston for their disorders of consciousness program, where we are now focused on getting him to a minimally conscious state (getting him to follow commands like moving his eyes back and forth, squeezing our hand, moving his head, etc). The hospital is giving him neuro-stimulants, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy (yes, even while he is not fully conscious). And here we are. Both Sam (his fiancé), and Becky (his Mom) have been by his side every minute possible, every day during visiting hours, to help nurse him back to health.

There is a rehab/research facility in Chicago that we are pressing to get him accepted to that has the latest technology in promoting wakefulness, like exoskeletons, and neuro-stimulation. He would have to be life flighted from Boston to Chicago.

Sam has been relentlessly doing research on disorders of consciousness and came across a book written by a physician about neuroplasticity and brain healing and decided to buy a medical device from the book. She continues to research clinical trials and anything possible that may improve his chances at wakefulness. She is in the medical profession and continues to be involved in his care.

Life has a way of making us feel safe, the plans we make may change, but as a human we never anticipate the kind of devastating tragedy that your loved one, in the prime of their life, may not make it. You never expect that catastrophe will strike your son, brother, or significant other. Austin is the pillar of strength in our lives. He is 29, full of life, and a truly amazing soul. He is the epitome of kind: a person who will take the shirt of his back for someone who needs it, a person who will drive a friend who needs it to work every day until they can get back on their feet, a person who balks at the idea of killing a spider simply because he feels bad about hurting something trying to survive. He is goofy and always willing to make a fool of himself for someone to laugh. He loves his family and friends, and has made a tremendous impact on each and every one of them. He loves the warmth from sun, a hammock, and a cigar for relaxing. He hates the cold and every year wonders how many more winters he wants to stomach. He works hard and takes pride in being someone that can be counted on. It’s always been important to him to strive for accomplishment. To his fiancé Sam he is her partner in crime, her best friend since high school. They have been together for 12 years. The quote she feels most connected to is “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” (Emily Bronte). To his younger brother, he is his role model, the person who would always be there, someone who would never give up on him. To his mom, he is her child, her first born, and he is stitched into the very fabric of her soul. Austin often called her mama bear, a term of endearment just for her, but as much as she is his mama bear, he is her baby bear. She will fight for him fiercely. Our job now is to fight for Austin, to give him the best chance he has; however, we can. For that, we need your help.

We ask that you help aide us in our journey to save Austin. To give him the best chance, we will need financial resources to draw upon. We hope that if you know Austin you will feel the same, that his life is worth fighting for. If you don’t know Austin and this crosses your path, I hope our words of love have shown you how much of a wonderful person he is. I hope you think about someone you love and consider what you would do. Please help us, help Austin. Money should not have to be a factor in whether a person lives or dies. As Austin’s advocates, and with your assistance, we can make this happen. No amount donated is too small. Every dollar will be used to help with Austin’s journey.

We plan to share the journey of his care and progress weekly or more as we progress. This is a very difficult time, and we continue to drive into Boston everyday to be with him. Our minds are focused on Austin, his recovery, and the mounting stresses of all that entails. We welcome your positive thoughts, feelings and prayers.