Nelson and Renee Ball

Hello! We have kicked off a fundraising campaign on behalf of my son-in-law and daughter, Nelson and Renee Ball.

In October of 2021, as a result of high blood pressure, Nelson suffered a severe brain hemorrhage leaving him unresponsive and in a coma for two months. The doctors did not expect Nelson to survive.  After resting his body, Nelson woke up from his coma with a tracheostomy, on a ventilator, not being able to speak, and very little movement in his body. 

Following 4 weeks in the ICU, still in a coma, Nelson was moved to a long-term acute facility called Kindred. At Kindred, Nelson was in a unit similar to the ICU to be cared for closely. The medical, nursing and respiratory teams took great care of Nelson. Even housekeeping would come in daily and pray over Nelson for his healing. Once Nelson woke up from his coma, the respiratory team worked closely with Nelson to help him increase his ability to breathe on his own and get off of the ventilator.  

Nelson was becoming more and more aware of his surroundings and making the appropriate facial expressions as he watched TV and tried to respond to questions. At this point, Nelson was still not able to speak, was on a feeding tube, had a tracheostomy, and still had little body movement. At the beginning of February 2022, it was determined by the insurance company and Kindred that Nelson no longer needed to be at the long-term acute level of care. Through the power of prayer, Nelson was able to quickly get into Craig Rehabilitation Hospital. 

Craig Rehabilitation Hospital also brought a new team of amazing people to support Nelson. One of Craig's big things is to get every patient fitted for a wheelchair within the first couple of days of admission, regardless of injury.  Nelson was no exception, on day 2 of being at Craig, Nelson was placed in a wheelchair even though he could not sit up on his own. The wheelchair gave Nelson the ability to get out of his room and go outside for the first time in 4 months. By the time Nelson left Craig in June 2022. Nelson could say a few words, had some movement in his left side and the right side was starting to move. In addition, the tracheostomy was removed and Nelson was eating a normal diet. This is again after the doctors said Nelson would not survive. 

In June, Nelson went back to the hospital for an infection after being home for only 2 weeks. While Nelson was in the hospital, he aspirated and was placed back on a ventilator for 10 days. Being on the ventilator again, impacted Nelson's ability to move, and use the part of his voice he had gained back, in addition, he was not able to eat solid food. 

After 3 weeks of being back in the hospital, Nelson was able to go to another rehab center for a few weeks to start working on mobility, speaking, and eating again. During Nelson's time at the rehab, Nelson started to speak a few words here and there and was able to eat solid food again.  At the beginning of August Nelson went home, only to end up with another infection, which impacted his ability to move and speak the few words Nelson was starting to say. Now after being in the hospital for 10 months, Nelson is waiting for home therapy and nursing support to start. 

As Nelson continues his recovery to fully use his voice and be able to get around without a wheelchair, Nelson stays strong! He is full of hope and fortitude which helps him continue to move forward day by day.  Nelson is working towards one day walking again, making new memories with his family, where he is not in a wheelchair, and of course, getting back on the driving range and playing a full round of 18 holes!

As a result of this injury, Nelson has been unable to work and Renee has been by his side every day since the incident. 

Nelson and Renee could use support to help offset expenses. The expenses entail medical, living, and transportation costs now that Nelson is in a wheelchair.  As Nelson recovers, he will be going through ongoing rehabilitation and requires at-home nursing care that is not covered by insurance. 

Renee, Nelson, and their girls would be so incredibly grateful for any level of support to include your ongoing prayers and thoughts as they continue to step through Nelson's recovery.   Thank you for taking the time to read Nelson's story and for your support!