My name is Jill Kuch and we are raising funds on behalf of Austin Levy, our great-nephew; and oldest son of Angela (Lopez) Hefti and Matt Levy.
ONE MONTH AFTER ACCIDENT UPDATE:
Thank you all for the amazing support and prayers in Austin's recovery journey! He has miraculously recovered in so many ways in the four weeks since the accident. He is now getting up and walking steps on his own, he's eating on his own and words are coming to him more steadily. The focus of his recovery is now shifting to cognitive therapies. He will also be seeing a Neuro-Ophthalmologist, as he is still experiencing double-vision in one eye. He has now been moved to a Rehabilitation facility in Northern Colorado, but plans are in place to get him down to Craig Hospital in Denver where they specialize in neurorehabilitation for individuals with brain injuries to continue his recovery there.
Austin has been responding well to various activities, but still has orders from the doctors for limited stimulus as he heals. He has visited the rooftop patio and seen the sky for the first time in weeks. He's beginning to read words and write again. At this point, his long-term memory is there where he remembers family, his address, etc. He's still rebuilding his short-term memory, including what has happened earlier in the current day. This part is bringing a lot of frustration for him as he struggles to remember why he's there in the hospital. Every day, there are gains and progress, but sometimes there are still setbacks. These challenges that remain are extremely difficult to understand, especially when you don't remember why you are there in the first place. Austin's emotional state is on a bit of a roller-coaster, but that is very much part of the recovery process after a traumatic brain injury. The amount of time it will take for his recovery is still unknown and Austin and the family are doing their best to take it one day at a time.
ORIGINAL POST AND WEEK ONE UPDATE:
On Monday, August 12th, Austin was driving towards Johnstown on his way back from Denver. He was involved in an accident with a truck and trailer causing lumber from the trucks to come through his windshield. He was hit on the left side of the head and has a severe brain injury. He has two temporal skull fractures, a base skull fracture, and an orbital fracture. There are no injuries to the rest of his body.
He has been in ICU since the accident. He is heavily sedated but as the days go on, they are attempting to reduce the medications to bring him more into consciousness. He is now off the ventilator and is moving around in the bed, opening his eyes and forming some coherent words. [Miracles!} It will be a slow, steady, and long process for his recovery but things are positive.
There will be many medical bills, lost wages, and expenses for this family to endure as the immediate family is spending constant time at the hospital.
Austin is fighting hard to heal. At about one week post-accident, things are still positive, but progress is moving arduously slow. He is now breathing on his own, which was a huge milestone. We will be keeping updates on his condition over at CaringBridge.
This has been a devastating event with a heavily uncertain future that is still beyond full comprehension, but they are staying strong in their faith in his full recovery. Thank you for your consideration of support for this family.