Support Artie Walsh's Journey to Recovery

Our very dear friend and “brother” to many, Artie Walsh, sustained a life-altering fall at home during the early morning hours of July 17, 2024. Artie has no memory of the fall and outside a small cut on the back of his head, there were few clues to indicate that anything life threatening had occurred.

The following day, Artie and his wife Melissa visited the ER to address what they believed to be the lingering symptoms of a concussion. A few hours later, however, Artie was rushed into the OR and underwent the first of what would be three total craniectomies to address brain bleeds, a subdural hematoma, and significant brain swelling – all a result of the accidental fall.

Artie spent the next 52 days in the ICU undergoing a battery of procedures as doctors and other medical staff worked to save his life and ensure the most optimal outcome for the long-term. Melissa was by Artie’s side daily during this critical period of medical intervention. There were unexpected setbacks and complications along the way, but also healing miracles and milestones to celebrate.

On September 8, Artie moved to in-patient TIRR, one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation hospitals where he received intensive treatment and therapy for his severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). While under the care of the wonderful doctors and therapists at TIRR, Artie regained significant strength, balance, memory, and speech. He graduated off his trach and eagerly welcomed the news that he could enjoy an unrestricted diet (feeding tubes be damned!) After one month of this in-patient therapy, Artie was finally released to come home!

Artie just completed an intense 12- week therapy program at out-patient TIRR. This included 5 days a week of both individual and group sessions in all disciplines including physical, occupational, speech, and neuropsychology therapies. During this next stage, doctors recommend his body and brain take a break from the therapies, and take the time to reintegrate and observe where more healing is needed. Recovery from a TBI is complex complex process with multiple stages that involve ongoing medical, rehabilitative, and psychological support for over a year.

We started this GoFundMe campaign to assist Artie and Melissa as they navigate the medical and rehabilitation expenses involved in Artie’s recovery from his TBI. Funds will also help with living expenses until Artie is well enough to return to work.

Thank you for your kindness and consideration. Artie and Melissa are most grateful for your unwavering support, prayers, visits, phone calls, emails, and texts. Your collective outpouring of love over these past six and half months has helped them stay focused on the sunnier path that lies ahead.

"I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become." - Carl Jung