Mike Rea's Recovery Info & Updates

Mike's family created this blog to acknowledge our heartfelt appreciation for all your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes since his accident. Please check back regularly for updates on his condition and recovery process. We know all of you will keep Mike and his family in your prayers!

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Location: Newark, Delaware

On June 16, 2006, Mike was doing what he loves most in the world~training a race horse! One minute, friends saw him go by at a full gallop. Thirty minutes later, he was found unconscious and barely breathing. Mike endured an emergency helicopter ride to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Unit where doctors determined he had suffered a severe brain injury and was placed in ICU in critical condition. After three weeks, Mike was transferred to Kernan Rehabilitation Center, then Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation. He returned home in October ‘06 and continues to work on his recovery. We have experienced much hope and joy as we have witnessed Mike's miraculous journey towards recovery. Mike IS A MIRACLE (the exact words of his neurologist) and continues to surprise his health care providers. Mike faces each day with courage, faith and perseverance; his new job consisting of physical therapy and theraputic riding. Mike is currently undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and is experiencing great progress! FOR THOSE WHO HAVE OFFERED ASSISTANCE, A "MIKE REA RECOVERY RELIEF FUND" HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO HELP WITH MIKE'S MEDICAL AND DAILY NEEDS.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Yes, We Are Still Here Alive And Kicking

Hello everyone. We are so sorry that we haven't blogged in a while. Nancy is hard at working with her real estate business, and I have been working hard at the military hospital here at Fort Bragg, NC. I work on the mother/baby floor and boy I've never seen so many babies born in a day. We are always so busy. Almost all of the mothers husbands are gone. Their in Iraq, Afghanistan or somewhere that has to do with the war. It is hard for everyone involved. Mother is still trying to cope with Mikey's accident that he had one year ago yesterday. Mike being her only son, her age and just the accident itself has really taken a toll on her. We all try to help her understand it and work with her almost daily.

Just to let everyone know though, Mikey is doing well. He lost his insurance because of the disability he and his family receives. So he is doing his own physical therapy right now. They gave him a list of things to do daily. He says he does them plus a lot more. He told me he walked around his neighborhood block with his cane. He said right now he doesn't have enough courage to do it without his cane. But he tries to get around the house without his cane. He told me he makes the bed, takes dishes out of the dish washer, helps in straightening up the house, and even pulled some weeds out of his yard. He was sitting on his porch and throwing the ball to his son to hit with a bat, but his son got so good at hitting the ball back they had to stop that before they broke a window or something. Most of all Mikey loves going to Freedom Hills for his therapy riding. He was only going once a week but now that the children are out of school they are going to try to go three times a week. That would be great for him. So all in all this past year has been a series of ups and downs for everyone involved but Mikey has really come so far it is truly amazing. Of course he doesn't think he has and is always striving to improve in everything he does. One good thing is that he goes back to his neurologist for his check up soon and I know that doctor will let him know how well he is doing and if he needs to be doing anything else to help him with his recovery. Boy it has been a long road but I know God is watching over him and helping him with everything that he does. It just doesn't seem that long ago that we got that dreadful phone call and got in the car and raced to be by his side and help in any way that we could for him. But I do know for a fact that we would all do it again if needed.

Well I hope that all the Fans of Barbaro are doing well. It was great to meet and see everyone. Hopefully we will all be able to get together soon again. Oh yeah, the other thing that has kept me so busy is my only child's wedding. She is getting married on June 30th. It has taken up alot of my time with all the planning and getting everything ready. I'll get my sister Nancy to post a picture for everyone to see after it is all over with. We are still trying to get Mikey to come. The road trip would probably be too much for him but we have offered to fly him. We will just have to see what happens. She is the first grandchild and his first niece to be born.

It's time for me to go now but I promise I won't let more than a month go by without blogging again. We always want to thank everyone for everything ya'll do for Mikey over and over again and may God bless each and everyone of you.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm so relieved to hear everyone is doing OK! Had wondered since you hadn't posted in awhile.

So sorry Mike lost his insurance (won't even go there, on that topic) - I know that is really tough - just let us know if we can help! You all are part of this incredible family and we'll do what we can if you need us!

Congrats on the wedding! I'm sure it will be spectacular! All the best to the bride to be!

Just want to let you all know that you are always in my thoughts & prayers. Barbaro has brought so many so close together (with a little help from Alex) - you guys mean a whole lot to me!

Take care & stay strong! Mike, keep it up! You've come so far and your progress and will continues to not only amaze me, but pushes me to strive to be a better person. You're awesome!

Love to all -

Julie Z.

11:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the news...so glad to hear Mike is doing well! I am sure the time at Freedom Hills is something special. Glad Alex has been able to be there to help too.

Sounds like everyone is super busy. Enjoy the wedding! Hope Nancy sells a lot of homes! Hope your mom continues to cope positively with everything. Hope Rochelle and the kids are all well.

And a special note to Mike: you are just the best! Your courage and persistence can teach us all a thing or two. Thank you!

6:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update! So glad to hear all is going well - I wish I could go out riding 3x a week!!!

I'm currently in Rome Italy working for the summer and heading back to the US in August. I won't be back in South Africa until September when I go "home" for my brother's wedding.

You're in my thoughts and prayers!

Nadine
South African FOB

7:23 AM  

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