Hi friends! My name is Ali Lindsey, and I am a 4th semester nursing student at Reinhardt University. I was granted permission to create a GoFundMe for a special family I had the pleasure to meet and care for while completing my ICU rotation at Northside Cherokee. Travis, his family, and his mom Desiree are all so special to me, and I hope that this fundraiser can help with medical bills and extra expenses they have incurred since Travis' incident.

Travis's Story:

On March 19, Travis suffered an anoxic brain injury after being exposed to fentanyl. When Travis was found, he was rushed to the hospital after suffering from cardiac arrest, and doctors determined he had been poisoned by fentanyl. After collapsing for an unknown amount of time, an emergency MRI was performed on Travis upon arrival at the hospital, which determined he had an anoxic brain injury, severe liver shock, experienced respiratory failure, and suffered from an acute kidney injury.

After spending weeks in the ICU and fighting for his life every day, Travis miraculously survived. He now faces a long and uncertain road to recovery. The fentanyl exposure caused severe damage to his brain, affecting his mobility, speech, and daily functioning. Every day, Travis and his family fight to regain what was lost—with courage, love, and faith in the Lord.

While in the ICU, Travis was intubated, extubated, tube-fed, placed on a mechanical ventilation system through a tracheostomy, placed on CRRT/dialysis/multiple medications, and underwent multiple scans to progress his recovery. It was a long, hard battle, but his mind and body never stopped fighting.

Travis was recently granted a spot at Kindred Hospital in Chattanooga while waiting for a spot at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, where his mechanical ventilation was removed, and he was given the opportunity to breathe on his own. Travis has even begun to speak small sentences and chew small ice chips (this is HUGE progress!).

Unfortunately, multiple holidays have already been spent in the hospital, and it can be difficult for family to visit him. His mom Desiree has spent countless nights in the hospital working hard to help her son recover and has been unable to return to work since the incident.

Here is why we need your help:

Travis's recovery will require:

* Extensive rehabilitation and physical therapy

* Occupational and speech therapy

* Specialized medical equipment

* Home modifications to accommodate his needs

* Ongoing neurological care and medications

His family is doing everything they can, but the costs can be overwhelming. That’s why we are reaching out for support—from friends, family, and compassionate people around the world who believe in second chances and in helping others heal.

How You Can Help:

Together, we can give Travis the best chance at recovery and help him and his loved ones through this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your kindness means more than words can say.

With gratitude,

Ali Lindsey and Desiree Austin

Organizer on behalf of Travis and his family