Austin's Recovery from Trauma

On April 4, 2023, Austin, age 19, rolled an excavator on top of himself and had to be life-flighted to UT Medical Center. He had broken tibia/fibula, both scapulas broken, five broken ribs, both lungs punctured, broken eye socket, broken maxillary sinus, one hemothorax, and extensive air in his chest cavity. He had surgery to place rods in his right leg, chest tubes in both sides, and many bruises all over his back, chest, arms, and legs.

Praise God he survived!

*Immediately after the accident, family and friends kept asking, ”What can we do to help?” Since we did not know the full extent of what things would look like, we waited before asking for any help. Now, we have a better idea of how things will play out, and we have a more concrete need in mind.

He has come through the initial recovery very well, and has made amazing progress! He is now in an in-patient rehab facility, where he is getting extensive physical, occupational, and group therapy. He will be there for about another eight days, depending on how well his rehab progresses.

Austin is learning to walk again, and many of his wounds are improving. However, his right arm remains non-functional, and the therapists and doctors have told him that it will be months before he has normal use of it. Thus, he will be unable to drive, work, or perform usual activities.

Austin was working two jobs, had his own apartment, and lived alone as he was navigating adult life and responsibilities. We just found out that he will not be eligible for short term disability, because he is two months short of his one-year work anniversary at his full time job. He will receive a percentage of his wage from his part-time job where he was injured. Obviously, this fraction will not cover his basic expenses. He will need to be released to full function medically before he may go back to his physically demanding job.

Austin will go home and continue to receive physical and occupational therapy at home. He may receive other therapies as needed, considering the extreme trauma he experienced. He will be living with church friends who have a single-level home while he recovers his strength and function.

Our goal is to raise living expenses for six months, hoping that by that time Austin will be able to return to full function with his arm, and thus to independent living and working. Everything is a bit of a guess as to how long the recovery process will actually take

We are also implementing some interventions that may help to accelerate his healing, and are under the advisement of several doctors who have hope of helping to speed up his recovery time.

For more details on the actual accident and recovery updates, please see posts on the family blog under the category, Austin's Recovery.

Thank you for anything you're able to contribute, and sharing this is also a big help!

For questions feel free to message us at [email protected]