Why do bad things happen to good people? Honestly I don't know, I can't answer this. Why do I believe this happened, not sure. Even though the last few years for this young man have been the hardest, unnecessary years of any persons life, he is a fighter and has been a fighter the entire time. He has become an inspiration to so many people. Many people who don't even know Michael look to him for their own inspiration to move forward and take one more step in the face of adversity.
Michael was 14 years old and a freshman at Riverhead High School and suffered third-degree burns over 40% of his body. This happened when an already lit gel candle exploded on him covering him with the gel from the candle. Michael has recently been moved back home to Riverhead where he is now close to family and friends that haven't been able to see and support him during the last 3 most trying years of his life. During the last 3 years he was staying at Stony Brook University Medical Center and then moved to Blythedale Children's Hopistal.
During his time in the hospital Micheal has been through Cardiac arrest (he passed away), he was in a coma, he has undergone numerous surgeries, and unimaginable physical therapy and doctors that told his mom that he would never be the same. So here's the thing, our family doesn't take to kindly to being told that we won't be able to do something and it makes us even more determined!! So to you that said he would not be the same, wouldn't be able to function or communicate we say "good day and have a good life, you are not positive and we don't need your negativity." Two days ago Michael stood on his own with only the Physical Therapist holding his arms for stability. We're not saying its going to be easy for him to get back to fully functioning but he is a fighter and Will walk and talk and function on his own. It's just going to take a lot of time and therapy.
Michael was able to move back home to Riverhead and is going to be able to stay at a local home for individuals with traumatic brain injury. He will be able to sleep at the Brendan House and then be bused to New Beginning facility for treatment. The Brendan House is a new beginning community center for brain injury rehabilitation. The center is named after Brendan Aykroyd, who passed away in his sleep on June 16, 2001 at the age of 25 while recovering from a traumatic brain injury. The center provides a comprehensive rehabilitation program all under one roof which includes a structured and social day program, physical, occupation and aqua therapy, a hyperbaric chamber, life skill training, holistic healing modalities and more.
Due to support from family, friends, his local community and complete strangers, Michael has been able to come home and be apart of events like being name an honorary new member of the Riverhead Blue Wave varsity boys basketball team. Without everyone's support special moments like this would not be possible.
What I'm asking is that you take a few minutes and if you can support the Michael and the Brendan house financially at http://www.gofundme.com/6q3sno and if you cannot support financially then just support spiritually and say a prayer for Michael, the family, and everyone else that could be affected by a TBI and just needs the support.
If you want to read more on Michael's Journey here are some links..........
One of the main individuals that has been instrumental to covering Michaels Story, getting the word out there, supporting and fighting with and for the family from day one is editor/writer Denise Civiletti from the Riverhead Local.
http://riverheadlocal.com/tag/michael_hubbard
From day one http://riverheadlocal.com/local-news/michael-hubbard-update-burn-victim-struggles-to-survive to yesterday http://riverheadlocal.com/boys-basketball/waves-win-season-finale-for-new-honorary-member-on-senior-night we would not be as informed and able to follow his story if it was not for Ms Civiletti.
http://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2012/01/33038/long-term-care-facility-for-young-adults-planned-for-riverhead/
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/riverhead-burn-victim-fights-to-recover-1.3439998
http://www.carrcarr.com/exploding-firepots-burn-innocent-victims
http://www.gofundme.com/6q3sno
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