Jordi and Charlie
Donation protected
On Tuesday, September 19, 2017, the unthinkable happened to Jordi Finlay and Charlie Watkins, when Charlie fell on his way into their house and hit his head on the concrete. It is unclear whether he was unconscious before he hit the ground — he had been complaining of lightheadedness minutes before and was going inside to lie down — or if the blow to his head is what knocked him out. What is clear is that, in this single, unforeseen, heartbreaking split-second, their lives were completely upended.
Taken by ambulance to Cedars, Charlie immediately was admitted to the Neuro ICU in critical condition. In the days that followed, he had several bleeds in his brain; the main one in his brainstem, a part of the brain so sensitive it cannot be operated on. Basically unconscious, unable to breathe on his own or regulate his body temperature, Charlie was put on life support and treated for dangerously high fevers and constant shivering simultaneously. His pupils were mostly unresponsive, but that may have been because the part of his brain that was damaged is the part that operates the pupils.
Along with what happened to Charlie’s brain, his heart was no longer beating as it should; constant monitoring and medicine has kept him going. The heart situation could be the result of the shock to the brain, or it could be from a pre-existing condition. As with so much of Charlie’s current state, it is simply too soon to know.
And, yet, for all that has befallen Charlie, for all of the fear and uncertainty that he and Jordi now face, every day is better than the day before, and they remain optimistic that Charlie will make a full recovery. That said, the path to this recovery is going to be long and winding, and the process is going to require a tremendous amount of resources. The outpouring of love and support that Charlie and Jordi have received has been truly astonishing, and deeply appreciated. Since many have asked what more they can do, we have started this fund to help ease some of the considerable financial stress Jordi now faces from their mounting medical & rehabilation expenses.
The care and concern shown by this amazing community has brightened these difficult days immeasurably. Thank you so much for the love and support you are sending Jordi and Charlie's way.
Taken by ambulance to Cedars, Charlie immediately was admitted to the Neuro ICU in critical condition. In the days that followed, he had several bleeds in his brain; the main one in his brainstem, a part of the brain so sensitive it cannot be operated on. Basically unconscious, unable to breathe on his own or regulate his body temperature, Charlie was put on life support and treated for dangerously high fevers and constant shivering simultaneously. His pupils were mostly unresponsive, but that may have been because the part of his brain that was damaged is the part that operates the pupils.
Along with what happened to Charlie’s brain, his heart was no longer beating as it should; constant monitoring and medicine has kept him going. The heart situation could be the result of the shock to the brain, or it could be from a pre-existing condition. As with so much of Charlie’s current state, it is simply too soon to know.
And, yet, for all that has befallen Charlie, for all of the fear and uncertainty that he and Jordi now face, every day is better than the day before, and they remain optimistic that Charlie will make a full recovery. That said, the path to this recovery is going to be long and winding, and the process is going to require a tremendous amount of resources. The outpouring of love and support that Charlie and Jordi have received has been truly astonishing, and deeply appreciated. Since many have asked what more they can do, we have started this fund to help ease some of the considerable financial stress Jordi now faces from their mounting medical & rehabilation expenses.
The care and concern shown by this amazing community has brightened these difficult days immeasurably. Thank you so much for the love and support you are sending Jordi and Charlie's way.
Organizer and beneficiary
Meghan Sullivan
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Charlie Watkins
Beneficiary