Jon Elkins Head Injury

Hi I'm Sam, Jon's mom. (Jon's girlfriend, Olivia, is in the photo....) He is both an officer with Winchester PD and a Lieutenant in the Army National Guard, Many friends and family asked for a place to track Jon's progress and help him financially.

Jon went on vacation with us to OBX over Labor Day. While bike riding at the beach, the bike chain fell off. The whole bike locked up. He was thrown over the handlebars, head first. He landed on the asphalt, VERY hard. Jon knew immediately he was very hurt. Anna was with him and knew he wasn't ok. Kind and helpful beach-goers, who were nurses, stopped to help. Emergency crew came quickly and EMTs assessed him. Immediately, they decided to take him to the local Nags Head Hospital. There was a lot of blood and he was in tremendous pain. At first glance, EMTs thought he damaged the inside of his ear. While in the ambulance, he started slurring his words and doing other scary things. Quick thinking rescue staff knew he needed help fast. They called for a flight team. He was intubated & airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Trauma 1 hospital. Olivia by his side the whole time. The ED team discovered he had a subdural hematoma and fractured skull. Jon had an emergency craniotomy. He didn't get to the hospital a minute too soon. Tom & Olivia have been overseeing his care.

Jon has been intubated and sedated until yesterday, when his breathing regulated and he started to communicate through wiggling fingers/toes and squeezing hands.

Today, he has been moving more and has small periods of being awake. We think his pain is well controlled, though he has some agitation and confusion.

We expect Jon to need some therapy and an extended recovery time. There are many unknowns and uncertainties with Traumatic Brain Injuries. What we do know is Jon is loved by Jesus, his family and friends. We ask that you pray for his complete and full recovery.