24 August 2005
If you read nothing else on my blog today, please read this. The rest pales into insignificance compared to this.
I work with some extraordinary people, and one of them needs help. This is the best way I can think of to give that help.
I wouldn't normally write about work, or about colleagues from work, but this is an exceptional circumstance. Please read/link/pass this on to anyone you think might be able to help.
Firstly, a bit of background.
Neil is one of the nicest people you could ever possibly meet. In the years I've worked with him, he's dealt with a very challenging job and never once complained or bitched about it. He is absolutely head over heels in love with his wife, Kazumi, and just over a year ago, she gave birth to a son, Sam. The look on his face whenever he talked about his family is something that will stay with me always.
A month ago, we got some terrible news. Kazumi and Sam were in a car accident. From what I've been able to find out, another car hit them side on, crushing Kazumi's knee and flinging baby Sam, car seat and all, out of the car and causing him terrible injuries.
Kazumi is recovering well, and is now able to join Neil at the hospital where Sam was taken, but with each update on Sam's condition, hope for his full recovery is fading.
Today, Neil sent an email in, asking for help. This is reproduced in full below, because I just can't re-write it. He asks for help. Please read it and help, if you can, by passing this word on to anyone you think may be able to help. Thank you.
Dear All
Thank you for all your support, wishes and prayers over the last few weeks - they have meant so much to us. At the moment Sam is stable, opening his eyes and smiling at us from time to time - which is simply beautiful. Sam's surgery to rejoin his head to his spine with a metal brace went well and he is now being held in an external brace to let it heal over the next six weeks.
He continues to be ventilated and paralysed from the neck down, and is still susceptible to infection especially having contracted MRSA. He has just had another operation to be ventilated through the neck and have feeding through his stomach, which will make it more comfortable for him.
At this stage, it is difficult to assess the extent of damage to the spinal cord. From the picture they see at the moment, the doctors have said they are very pessimistic that his situation will improve. They say it is likely that the spinal cord is completely severed, which would mean no chance of recovery below the neck with current medical knowledge.
This news has been devastating for us and we cannot comprehend at the moment what the future holds. Our Sam is fighting every day and we are overwhelmed at how strong and brave our son is. These next 2 to 4 weeks are the most important in our lives as we are waiting for any signs of recovery. I have contacted specialists from around the world and they say there is little to do but sit and wait.
If any of you know anybody that may be able to help - please contact us (email me and I will pass any messages on). It is a paediatric spinal cord injury to the cervical spine at c0-c1. This injury is so rare that there is no other documented case in a child so young - most die at the crash site and before they reach hospital.
We have two doctors who were passing the crash to thank for saving Sam's life. This has given him a chance.
We have read with heartfelt thanks all your individual messages and cards. They mean so much I cannot say. If I could ask one thing with all my heart? Please pray, think or pause for Sam every day whilst he is fighting. All my prayers have been answered and the more prayers Sam has - the stronger he will be. Your love and wishes get to Sam every day. I believe in my heart the doctors are wrong and he will win. I believe God is with us and Sam will walk, talk and breathe again. He was a miracle when he came to us, it was a miracle he survived the crash and it will be a miracle when he recovers.
These things do happen and they will happen to Sam.
With all our love and thanks to you all for your kind thoughts.
Neil, Kazumi and Sam.
My love and prayers go out to your friend and his family.
Good luck in your search
Neil, Kazumi and Sam,
My prayers and love go to you all. Take courage and keep the faith.
My prayers are with them. There is some hope if the spinal damage is irrepairable, research has been done and test made that use computer chips to bypass the damage and the research teams are always on the look out for research subjects. There is also hope in regrowing spinal tissue using either stem cells or eletrical current. Have them contact The Christopher Reeves Foundation (http://www.christopherreeve.org/) for more information.
If it is an injury to the odontoid peg (which is at the very top of the spine, so may be c0-c1), I know someone whose neighbour suffered a severance of that in a car accident and has since made a complete recovery. If it might be relevant, I can ask her to get the name of the consultant/hospital where she was treated (PM me or Google Talk).
Lot of information "here":http://www.namiscc.org/newsletters/December01/SCI-stem-cell-research.htm as well.
I am rooting for that strong, beautiful baby boy. I will be praying, please keep us updated.
... the online home and (not very) alter(ed)-ego of Ann McMeekin, a recently freelance Web Accessibility Consultant.
... passionate about many things, most of which will turn up on this site at some time or other.
... contactable via email.
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