#TeamDeclan

Declan, our 14 year old son, was wrestling at his sectional meet with his Bernotas Wrestling Team, when he suffered a catastrophic neck and brain injury. During his 3rd match, he suffered a blow to the top of the head which resulted in what was first diagnosed as a grade 3 concussion and intense swelling and compression to his C1 and C2 in his neck. After he suffered the injury during the match - the trainer dragged him off the mat even though Declan had been fully unconscious and was just starting to come too... and had no feeling or ability to have movement in his right arm or leg. After pulling Declan to the muddle of all the mats - Declan's coached asked three times should and finally when an ambulance would be called - which the trainer said - "I do not think he needs an ambulance, he is coming too!" I decided at that point, looking at my mother and back to Declan who was struggling to even stay sitting upright, needing his coach to prop him and could not answer questions that he was being asked...that he needed to go and with the help of his coach, Declan was carried to the car, as my mother stabilized his neck in place as best as she could, thank God for her medical training as a nurse for over 30 years... and I took him to Kishwaukee Hospital in Dekalb.

The ER staff at Kishwaukee determined, almost immediately, that his injuries where too severe for them to treat. Upon their recommendation, they contacted the Trauma 1 Hospital and he was transferred to Javon Bea Mercy Hospital in Rockford.  Initially being in Trauma and then moved to ICU...where he spent 4 days in the pediatric ICU unit and was monitored closely, had many MRI and CT scans, among other testing and evaluations...

The results of this catastrophic neck and brain trauma, Declan was diagnosed with a "reverse stroke" which putting it simply, his brain was injured to the point that it registered a stroke, although by the grace of God, he does not have any clots or bleeds in his brain, just edemas and swelling.  He was concussion was upgraded to a Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, also swelling and sprain at his C1 and C2, no movement or feeling in his right arm or leg for days, and major deficits in his memory and cognitive abilities, specifically names, word recall, numbers, processing speed, and reaction time.  Declan has been evaluated at a Neuro rehabilitation center and is now is required to be in therapy 4 days a week. The therapy is required so that Declan regains strength in his right arm and leg. Declan has been working hard to regain the strength to walk unaided and regain the feeling in his right leg and he is making great progress, although it does take a toll on him.  He meets with a speech therapist to work on memory, reading, and cognitive deficits. These deficits have resulted in the recommendation that Declan to be removed from school for the rest of this year and have a Home Bound Tutor that can get the work down with him, respecting both his restrictions and deficits,  as the therapy team and neurologist do not believe he is safe to return to the school setting. 

This determination has placed a lot of anxiety on Declan as he worries about school, has started to isolate from his friends, and depressed as he does not know if he will return to his "Normal" Life. The fear of the uncertainty of his future, educationally and playing any sports, including his passion for football.... has been profound at times.  WE, along with Declan,  have made the decision that to ensure this emotional toll that this injury and recovery process does not do any long term harm, Declan will begin to see a therapist to talk through these feelings, although he still does not recall everything.  It is not uncommon for someone, even an adult, that they would feel anger, frustration, sadness, fear, and all the other emotions that come with something of this magnitude.  Declan, who knows we are putting this information on her and will be reading any and ALL supportive comments and responding, best as he can with limited computer time and we will help him, Declan wants to "BEAT THIS" and as I would tell him before a game or match, "LET'S GET IT DONE!"  as he puts it and works so hard in all his therapy sessions and has amazing insight into his own emotions and feelings...

Many people have reached out and asked how they can help. WE CAN NOT SAY THIANK YOU ENOUGH OR SHOW ENOUGH GRADITUDE FOR THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM SO MANY PEOPLE, SOME WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN YEARS, THE AMAZING FAMILIES OF DECLAN'S PRESENT AND PAST TEAMS AND OF COURSE OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS THAT HAVE BEEN TRUELY AMAZING!!  Some have asked if there was a place to donate as they realize there will be an extensive cost to the recovery from these injuries. That was the purpose of setting up this page for those people who wish to contribute. Declan will be checking in to see the words of encouragement that are left and using those words of encouragement as motivation to continue his  road to recovery.  PLEASE DO NOT FEEL THE NEED TO DONATE, WE HAVE JUST BEEN ASKED SO MANY TIMES THAT WE SET THIS UP, BUT PLEASE IF YOU FIND YOUR WAY TO THIS PAGE, ANY AND ALL WORDS OF SUPPORT, LOVE, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND WORDS THAT DECLAN CAN USE ON THOSE REALLY ROUGH DAYS AS MUCH AS THE GOOD ONES!!!  OF COURSE IF YOU DO GRACIOUSLY DONATE, KNOW THAT WE ARE SUPREMELY GRATEFUL FOR YOU GENERIOUSITY....

AGAIN...THANK YOU TO ALL THAT HAVE CALLED, TEXTED, MESSAGED, SENT CARDS AND HAVE RALLIED AROUND DECLAN...THIS WAS A ONE IN A BILLION INJURY AS THE NEUROSURGEON AND TRAUMA DOCTORS HAVE SAID...IT COULD HAV E BEEN SO MUCH WORSE...WE ARE TRUELY BLESSED THAT DECLAN IS ABLE TO BE ON THIS ROAD TO RECOVERY, ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO HIM SOMETIMES, THIS ROAD IS AMAZING AND BLESSED BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS MY BOY A FIGHTER...BUT HE IS HERE WITH US...THAT IS A TREUMENDOUS BLESSING AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL!!!!