Autistic Special Olympic Olympian struck by a car
Mitakuyapi ("Relatives" in Dakota),
**WARNING! PICS OF SAGE SHOWING BANDAGED INJURIES**
I'm Bambi Blue Raven, Sage Thornton Blue Raven Gau is my baby brother. Im creating this page to get the community involved to assist Sage & family during this horrific time in our lives.
The funds that are being raised will help Sage for medical expenses or medical equipment that he may need on his journey to recovery. It will be used for immediate family's travel expenses (cafeteria meals, gas, parking fees, etc) while he's hospitalized in Rochester, MN (83 miles, one way) and any household bills that may arise once vacation and PTO are exhausted.
We're asking the community to help Sage and his family with expenses related to his injuries/hospitalization/recovery from a scooter vs. car accident while on the way to his neighborhood park.
Sage is an outgoing, fun-loving autistic 23-year-old member of the Santee Dakota Nation of Nebraska and a long-time native to his ancestral lands of Mankato, MN.
His resides with his parents Thomas and Mollie Blue Raven in the Highland Park Neighborhood.
Sage is a son, brother, uncle, grandpa, boyfriend (to Ashley), best friend, athlete, Special Olympic Olympian, an avid Mankato LEEP (Leisure Education for Exceptional People) member, an Oziya Wićaśa (Dakota for "Warrior").
If Sage knows you, guarantee Sage'll be your personal hype man! He will stand up for you and gladly give you the shirt off his back. That's who he is!
Sage is very active in his community, whether it be going to see the Vikings practice (when they did come to Mankato), cheering on the Mavs for basketball, hockey, football, or going to LEEP dances, LEEP sports, or one of their many other exciting activities.
He loves to game: COD, Diablo, Destiny, being among his favorites. He enjoys streaming on YouTube, Facebook, and IG, where he has many followers..quite the social butterfly!
Sage is a sports fan. Baseball, football, or hockey on a professional or college level. Sports trivia? He's your guy! He'll give you the low down on draft picks, stats & fantasy football.
Sage not only enjoys watching, but he LOVES playing basketball and tossing the football around with his friends and nephews. He recently was named MVP at the state championship for LEEP Mankato's special olympic baskeball, leading a score of 23 points. He was going to start playing LEEP softball later this month. He placed in state for dead lifting, power lifting, and squats (Special Olympics).
On Friday, July 12, 2024, his life had met with tragedy. He was criticality injured after being hit by a car while enjoying a scooter ride to Highland Park, which was a few short blocks from his home.
He was airlifted to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN and remains hospitalized until his condition allows him to be transferred to ISJ Mankato.
He has sustained many serious injuries:
• Traumatic brain injury
• Skull fracture
• Broken neck vertebrae
• 8 broken ribs
• Broken right shoulder
• Right elbow compound fracture
• Broken bones, left hand
• Lacerations to his face
• Multiple facial fractures
• Road rash (face, trunk, and limbs)
• 2 broken toes, left foot
• Broken left leg (discovered 7/22)
As a result, Sage is in the ICU. He is heavily sedated and on a ventilator.
***UPDATE***
Sage is now off the ventilator, he was moved to rehab floor & started physical therapy. He complained of not being able to put weight on his leg. After x-rays, he has a broken tibia & is having surgery tomorrow (7/23) to fix the break.
Sage's family asks for ALL reading to continue praying for his speedy recovery and return to his active athletic lifestyle. Wopida ("Thank you " in Dakota),
the Blue Raven Family
