Please Support Ken’s Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury

Late on the evening of 8/12/24, my brother, Ken Harrison, sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from an assault by two brothers. It was shocking to receive a call in the early hours of 8/13/24 that Ken was being life-flighted to Vanderbilt in Nashville. Our mom rushed to Vandy, which is almost 75 miles away, and I left my home in Indiana to join her at the hospital. While I was driving, my mom called to update me that Ken was in surgery and in life-threatening condition. During the surgery, the surgical team stopped three brain bleeds, removed a blood clot, and removed the left side of Ken’s skull to give the brain space to swell. The first week was very difficult as Ken was in a coma, intubated, had paralysis of his right arm and hand, and remained in life-threatening condition. We were blessed to have many, many prayer warriors joining us in praying boldly for very specific concerns, and one by one, we saw those prayers answered. God is good!

Since Ken’s discharge, Ken travels to Vandy at least twice a week (+/- 300 miles) for speech and occupational therapy, and we expect a minimum of another six months for therapy, possibly longer for speech. Recovery for TBIs with severe aphasia is discussed in months and years. His medical bills are extensive, and we haven't even seen them all yet. On April 21, Ken will have another brain surgery to replace the left brain flap removed and will be hospitalized for an unknown timeframe. We are prayerful that Ken will do well with surgery, experience immediate improvement, especially relief from ongoing headaches.

We’re praying for God’s continued healing and for His intervention to help ensure that Ken’s needs are provided for. His insurance has covered the basics; however, we’re expecting therapy coverage to end soon. Ken’s dental coverage is more or less preventative, and he needs thousands of dollars of dental work. Meanwhile, his assailants have been criminally charged but have not yet gone to court to face prosecution. We’ve started working with an attorney on a civil lawsuit, but it’s unlikely that they have the means to bear the financial burden of the extensive bills.

We’re hoping to raise $25,000 to help cover current and future medical, dental, and legal expenses. We’re not sure yet what the complete financial impact will be. Our plan is to pay off immediate bills, start dental work, and open a trust if there’s enough for ongoing needs. If we have funds raised in excess of Ken’s needs, we would donate to charities or assist others who have been victims of violent crimes.