Connor Stackhouse & family's medical expenses

On June 23, Connor was playing basketball with some friends when one of the brackets supporting the backboard broke and the backboard fell down unexpectedly on his head. EMS arrived quickly and he was immediately taken into surgery to remove bone fragments which were pressing into his brain. Surgery was successful at removing the bones causing pressure, but Connor spent 5 days on the ventilator while carefully monitoring his brain for swelling. Since that time, he has been at Parkview Regional Medical Center working with physical therapy and speech therapy on a daily basis. As of Monday, July 12, they were able to transfer to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation hospital in Grand Rapids, MI for intense inpatient therapy. Connor suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and while he has been able to intermittently communicate with thumbs up or down, he has yet to try to speak. After a week of not opening his eyes, we are seeing them open more and more every day. He has been able to get out of bed, but movements are still very uncoordinated and awkward. Though it remains very unclear what long term results will truly be, everyone is very optimistic that recovery will be good with intense, specialized therapy.

Younger siblings, Rowan (8) and Summer (5), have been staying with grandparents throughout this time so that Andrew and Jessica can remain at Connor’s bedside.

More than monetary donations, we are simply asking for continued prayers through this healing process. God has been working throughout this tragedy in ways we, as a family, could have never imagined and your prayers have been absolutely instrumental!

However, if you would like to help out in a monetary way, we’ve created this account which will strictly help with travel expenses to and from Grand Rapids, food, accommodation expenses that may arise, as well as any medical bills, which have yet to start pouring in..

A few highlights from the last few weeks:

As of July 1: Connor seems to consistently know when he needs to use the bathroom and with help, has been able to use the commode on a regular basis

As of July 3: He has been cleared to enjoy ice chips and sips of water while he is awake!

July 5 was Connor’s 10th birthday! When asked how old he was, he held up 10 fingers! The nurses decorated his door and he was able to enjoy a few sips of pickle juice.. while this would have not been an adequate substitute for most of us, it was a true treat for Connor!! He was also able to spend some time “out and about” in his wheelchair.

July 12: Connor made the transfer to inpatient rehab

Ongoing progress and prayer requests:

-Sleeping has been a bit rough.. Connor has very restless legs at night and we’re not sure if this is due to musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain but we’re trying to work at it from all angles. Pray for the doctors as they adjust medications and pray for discernment for Andrew and Jess as they try to remain sensitive to all his needs, even amidst their exhaustion.

-Working with PT seems to be a challenge at times, though Andrew has been instrumental in making such ‘mundane’ exercises more fun. Prayers for discernment on whether we’re dealing with tiredness as the brain continues to heal, or stubbornness, as this has historically been a dominant trait for Connor :) Realistically, we understand we are dealing with both, and we appreciate prayers as we determine how hard to push and appropriate timing.

-And of course, ongoing prayer is needed for the rest of the family: both Andrew and Jessica as they navigate not only this new phase of recovery at rehab, but also this new phase of life; pray against the exhaustion that the devil so earnestly attempts to capitalize on; prayers for Rowan and Summer as they are not getting to experience the summer plans they had hoped for and are also trying to navigate these new and complex family dynamics without their older brother around.

While painful situations are very difficult for us to understand, this passage from a BSF study on Genesis and Joseph's life accurately reflects our hearts toward all that's happening: “God always seeks the greater good. The most excellent expression of good is woven into God’s character. God also deliberately propels human history and our lives toward the greatest good. He works everything for the fullest expression of His glory and the greatest benefit for all. God permits hard things to accomplish something better, beyond the struggle. Joseph’s suffering prepared him for greater usefulness to God, His people and His purposes. As humans, we most often imagine only a lesser good, far short of the greater good God has planned. By faith, we can interpret our lives through the grid of God’s active and unwavering goodness.”