Can you help my nephew Josh?
Josh at Graduation in May 2009
I don’t do things like this often, so please bear with me. My nephew has been seriously injured in a car accident recently. He is currently in the ICU after being airlifted to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, TX. His condition has just recently become “stable”, but his medical bills and cost of rehabilitation is going to be extraordinary, even with insurance.
On Sunday, September 13th, Josh was involved in a horrific car accident. His car went off the road and careened into a tree. They were wearing seatbelts, and they had airbags, but it didn’t matter. The side impact cause Josh and his passenger to collide heads, leaving both young men with severe brain injuries. Both boys were in ICU in the beginning. Thankfully, Josh’s friend, has been moved to a regular hospital room and will be heading to rehab soon. Josh is still in ICU now and a long way from rehabilitation. Even if Josh wakes up soon, his rehabilitation is going to take months, if not years.
To say I’m close with my nephew Josh is an understatement. He’s one of my favorite people in the entire world. I’ve been there most of his life and I can’t stand to see my strong, 17 year old nephew unable to move or even to speak. Josh just graduated high school, and started attending Austin Community College this fall. Things were really looking up, and we hope to see them looking up again. But first we have to find a way to pay all of the medical bills.
Josh's car after the September 2009 accident.
My sister is a teacher working on a teacher’s salary, and to say the medical costs are overwhelming is an understatement. Thinking about paying for weeks of ICU treatment, as well as the medical airlift helicopter service that got him to the hospital, and years of rehabilitation is dizzying. Insurance will cover the majority of the hundreds of thousands of dollars this accident will cost, but there are still high out-of-pocket deductibles and major family travel expenses to help with the ongoing care.
I don’t do this often, but if anybody out there can help Josh’s family with a small donation to pay for his road to recovery, I’d sincerely appreciate it.
With the economy as it is, I totally understand if you can’t donate, but if you could at least help us pass along the message I would be sincerely grateful to you.
If you would like to help, please donate through PayPal using the widget below. It would make a world of difference to our entire family! Thank you for any help you can provide!
Why does she have to pay for even 1 day of ICU? Teachers have some of the best Health Care Insurance out there. I know their kids are covered, esp. those under age 18 (usually goes to age 25 if they are in college)
Hi Allen, I’m so sorry about your nephew. A dear friend of mine was injured in a car accident with severe head injury in 2006. Best wishes to Josh for a speedy recovery.
Fred,
Thanks for your concern. It’s true that teachers in Hawaii have good insurance, unfortunately my sister just got her job in Hawaii after moving from Texas (where Josh is) about 2 months ago. She had signed up for the top of the line heath plan, but it hadn’t gone into effect yet. As it is, she still does have insurance with the TEA, but the one she is carrying has a high out-of-pocket deductible for incidents like these. In addition, she has the travel costs from Hawaii to Texas to help care for her son which aren’t cheap. There are some very major long term expenses associated with Josh’s recovery.
Karen,
Thank you so much. It’s tragic really to see how much damage can be done so quickly. How did your friend’s injury turn out? Things are starting to look up for Josh. He still can’t talk or really move on his own, but last week, Josh’s lung collapsed and he developed a severe case of pneumonia. Today, the pulmonologist said Josh’s lungs were clearing up and he can breathe on his own. We’re hoping to get him off the ventilator soon. It would be nice to see him finally be able to breath on his own.
@Allen Klosowski
Allen, I can certainly understand the need for additional
money for such a situation! You can count on me to help.
Rehab is amazing nowadays. Hopefully your nephew will do great once he get’s to that stage. I’m pulling for him.
Allen,
I thought I would mention this. My daughter’s best friend was severely injured after a lightening strike several years ago; tragically her injuries were so severe that she never recovered. But, during the process her parents became aware of a foundation run by Ross Perot (yes, that Ross Perot); it was amazing the things they did to help her family. I don’t have any details; Rachel passed almost two years ago, but it might be worth doing some research to see if there is a way they would get involved.
Hi AJ, I’ve just read about your nephew and I’m really really sorry about that. I’m telling Robert tonight and I’m sure he will call u. I know there is probably not much we can do from here, but if anything comes into your mind that could help him or you and your family, we would be glad to do it!
A big hug from all the Ruzittu’s
Hi,,I’m so very sorry for this young man and his family. I too am in debt due to a car accident that has left me finacially ruined. This is ONE more big argument for much needed HEALTH CAR REFORM in America.
Best recovery to all.
I am happy to contribute. I sure hope things start looking up for him. I know all to well what it is like to see someone you love in a position like that. My heart goes out to your whole family…. take care.. And yes healthcare reform is such a critical issue in our day and age…
I wish you and your cousin the very best of luck…
I am so sorry for your nephew, and wish him only the best.
I wish I could do something to help, unfortunately the economy kicked me then I became disabled.