On May 19th, while at a park in Otsego, Michael suffered a double open fracture to his right tibia and fibula after a fall from a slide. He took a fall from the top of the slide structure. He slipped off of it. He was immediately rushed to Bronson Methodist Hospital, even though the family resides in Holland.
In the immediate aftermath:
• Michael underwent two emergency surgeries. The first aligned the fractured bones and the second involved the placement of a halo on his leg.
• Two weeks later, the halo was removed, and the bones were fused using hardware, confining him to a wheelchair for the summer.
However, complications arose:
• By August 20th, an open wound developed where the bone had initially protruded.
• It was discovered that Michael had contracted a rare bacteria from the wood chips on the playground. This bacteria lodged itself on the hardware and penetrated his leg bones.
• This resulted in another 9-day hospital stay with two surgeries to try and eliminate the bacteria and remove some of the hardware.
Presently:
• Michael, a non-verbal individual with severe autism, is at home receiving 24-hour antibiotic treatment via a PICC line, expected to continue for the next four months.
• The hardware, initially intended to be permanent, now needs full removal due to bacterial colonization.
• An additional surgery is scheduled for September 8th due to complications with the wound healing process. Some of the sutures are going back into the skin. This bacteria is aggressive and literally ate his skin underneath. So pulling the skin back together was hard for the doctors and healing has been slow.
Before the accident, despite requiring full care due to his autism, Michael was mobile and enjoyed summertime activities. Now, mostly bedridden, the primary focus is on removing the hardware and eradicating the bacteria. Uncertainties loom regarding his future mobility, especially given pre-existing issues with his left leg.
Michael’s care needs have intensified, with his parents serving as full-time caregivers. Financial strain is evident as his mother had to cease work, and their insurance isn’t covering all medical expenses.
If you are looking to play in our golf benefit, please donate the $400/4some to this site & comment "In for 4 to play golf". Then contact our pro shop & they can add you to the list.
If you are looking to sponsor a hole, please donate your money here as well. We are shooting to get $500/hole.
Please feel free to just donate if you can't make the event, or live far away. Any help is so appreciated.
