Early morning of March 13th, Matthew Freeman (son of Michelle Trueblood Freeman and Mark Freeman) was involved in a serious car accident.  Matt hit a brick wall and totaled the car he was driving.   Thank you to the Firefighters who cut him out of the mangled metal, and thank you to the paramedics who stablized this seriously injured young man and assured he was transported to a trauma hospital.  

His parents Michelle and Mark have been by his bedside as this nightmare has unfolded.  Matt has a broken wrist, broken leg, lacerated kidneys, liver and spleen.  He has lost functioning in one kidney and will be living with the one remaining kidney.  He was taken to surgery for 7 hours to repair numerous fractures of the left wrist and the large bone/femur of his right leg.  An expandable metal plate was inserted into his femur and must be adjusted perodically to allow for growth of the bone -  therefore, many more surgeries are in Matt's future.  

He was also diagnosed with a concussion and wore a neck brace until the hospital could determine if he had any spinal damage - fortunately his spine is not injured but he did sustain several other internal injuries.  He will be further assessed as the healing process begins.

Matt was discharged to home with his Mom last night with a long list of expensive medications.  One prescribed medication is a blood thinning injection that Michelle will be administering twice a day due to the severity of the damage to the artery in his leg.  The vascular doctor wants to limit the danger of clotting until he is re-evaluated in a couple of weeks.  

Michelle found the Medical Center of Plano to be a real challenge regarding Matt's care plan, as well as the emotional roller coaster of keeping Matt's pain level down, trying to comfort and keep him calm as he struggles daily (with excruciating pain) in just getting comfortable enough to sleep.    

Michelle, Mark and other family have suffered with a feeling of helplessness as Matt screamed and cried in pain.  His parents tried to advocate on behalf of their son by assuring he stayed on a strict pain medication schedule, and received the daily physical therapy the orthopedic recommended.  Michelle would have gladly taken his place in that accident as to not watch her son writhe around in pain, and lash out at the nurses and herself in his frustrated and frightened state of mind.  

The family had hoped Matt would be transferred from Medical City to an in patient physical rehabilitation unit (on site at the hospital) as recommended by his physical therapist and orthopedic surgeon.  Then Medical City turned around and said he could not qualify for in patient rehab due to the limitations on the insurance policy.  Matt's Dad Mark negotiated with the health insurance, paid a large fee, and upgraded the plan to include the in patient rehabilitation.  A hospitalist then visited Matt and decided to discharge him to home saying he could get outpatient rehabilitation.  The family was beside themselves with worry as the  hospitalist's  recommendation contradicted the specialist and the physical therapist's advice.    Matt's parents "jumped through many hoops" to get him proper care.  

Matt cannot start the oupatient physical and occupational therapy until he sees the orthopedic again in two weeks, and insurance will not pay for home health care therapy.  The orthopedic surgeon will see him for re-evaluation and determination of the appropriate type of brace for his leg that will allow for the movement necessary to accomplish the physical and occupational therapy.  

The family had to purchase a walker and add certain handicap acommodations to their home (i.e. grab bars, shower seat, etc) in order for Matt to avoid re-injury (health insurance will not cover the assisted equipment).  As I mentioned, Matt is on a long list of expensive medications and will continue to be on these medications for several months, costing several hundred dollars for a thirty day supply, and the health insurance (although upgraded) does not cover the prescriptions.  

Matt's Mom Michelle has been off work and not leaving his bedside.  Michelle works a contract type job and when she doesnt work she doesnt get paid.  

This family is in dire need of prayers for a full recovery, but they also need money for the day to day like meals, and other incidentals.  The family needs funds for therapy co-pays, prescriptions, and on-going doctor's visits and medical tests.  For instance, Matt will be seeing the vascular surgeon next week to determine if the damage to the artery in his leg is healing, as well as he will require additional tests and procedures to assess and monitor his internal injuries.  He has not received a full cast on his arm yet due to the swelling, and his orthopedic will the determine the next steps regarding his arm as well.    

Matt will not be able to attend school during the healing process and they anticapte he wil be out of school  

Any assistance of money that you are able to donate on behalf of Matthew Freeman will be greatly appreciated by his family as he continues down the path of healing of the mind, body and spirit.