Tim Mooney - Medical Fundraiser

My sister, Sue, and I are launching this fundraiser on behalf of our brother, Tim. When Tim was 17, while playing hockey with friends at a backyard pond he was hit directly on the side of the head with the hockey puck.

When paramedics arrived they had to resuscitate Tim on the ice. In the ambulance, on the way to the hospital, he was twice again resuscitated and subsequently went into a deep brain trauma. Upon arrival, at the hospital, he then had an emergency subdural evacuation.

Doctors told our mom that he would likely have permanent, severe brain damage - if he survived at all he would be completely incapaciated. Eight days later, Tim implausibly woke up, turned his head and said "Hi Mom.” His neurologist said “It’s a miracle.”

Fast forward, after many years of unexplained life difficulties Tim had a MRI and CT scan in 2021. It was then discovered that Tim was suffering from a TBI (traumatic brain injury) caused by the hockey puck which had left a scar on his right temporal lobe. Like many head injuries due to sports ie. impairment and diagnosis it was slow to manifest and determine.

Tim’s diagnosis, after extensive cognitive testing, resulted in "Diffuse traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness of unspecified duration, sequela, major neurocognitive disorder."

Tim has had many life challenges over the years that he could not put his finger on. Turns out it was his brain injury that was undermining all his best efforts to be a fully functioning adult.

Previously self-supporting, Tim is now no longer able to work due to his diminishing memory. Tim has applied for social security disability and has been denied twice. His doctors and lawyer both agree it's due to the complexity of his case wherein on the outside he seems fine, intelligent, conversational etc. though struggling with cognitive executive functions ie. confusion trying to do basic daily tasks ie. forgetting how to put his socks on or how to brush his teeth, and not having the function to multi-task. It’s quite likely that the third appeal will be successful, but can take years to get approved.

In the meantime, Tim and our family are in need of financial assistance to help cover medical, legal, insurance, and basic living expenses. Currently, Tim attends therapy four times per week and has a new neurology team at UCLA which confirmed that his case is very unusual and complicated. They have ordered a PET scan and may have Tim do an EEG test and further cognitive testing due to the complexity of his condition. They strive to get to the bottom of it for Tim.

Our family has been helping as best we can to cover all costs, but now we are asking for donations to help in any way so that we can provide the best care and future lifestyle options for Tim.

Anything at all you can donate will be greatly appreciated. Sue and I will be handling your generous donations on Tim's behalf to assure he's best provided for and can then focus on his health and safety.

If you could also share our fundraiser link with your friends, it would mean so much to us in helping our brother. The more people that hear about our cause, the quicker we can reach our fundraising goal.

Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts!

Lynn and Sue