Strive for X

Xavier Machuga is an out going, loving and athletic student at Canton High in Massachusetts. On May 5, 2017 Xavier suffered from a severe brain hemorrhage which resulted in damage to his cerebellum (the area of the brain that controls motor skills, nerve function, and effects balance.) This incident turned a very athletic young man into a prisoner in his own body and mind. Not able to move or speak, his thoughts stirring in his head with no way to get out. He has been to several medical facilities during this process (Norwood hospital for his first cat scan, transferred to Mass General Pediatric ICU, and now he's in Spalding Rehabilitation Center in Boston.) There have been countless MRI's and multiple surgical procedures done to help the healing process and keep track of brain damage. Numerous tests have been done as well to monitor his well being and several hours a day are dedicated to physical therapy, as well as speech therapy to regain the ability to speak and communicate. He has made great progress in his road to recovery (he can now move his arms in a controlled motion as well as speak for short periods of time); however there is a very long road ahead of him. Medical staff is estimating that he will be able to go home by the end of July, but he will still need home care and assistance to move around as well as out patient treatment for a year or more. It is undermined that he will make a full recovery but family and friends refuse to believe anything less from Xavier's determination and have high hopes that he will prove the doctors wrong.

In his day to day life and when he's pushing himself in sports Xavier lives by the motto "strive for excellence." This has gotten him through many hard days, but now its time for us to "strive for X." We need to fight by his side and prove the impossible possible. Let's prove to this young soul that we can come together and make a miracle happen. With the support of friends family and even strangers we can help give him the strength and support he needs to recover and hopefully one day get back on the basketball court.  (Go Bulldogs!)

This 'go fund me' is to help with the countless medical bills still accumulating at an exponential rate during this process and also to help with living expenses for his family. His mother (Katrina) is the main source of income for her family and has run out of paid leave from work. With that said money is in urgent need. No donation is too small. She has been out of work from the moment this tragic situation took place, and has stayed by Xavier's bedside. She is the rock he needs to stay strong and positive and keep fighting the good fight.

This page is being created by Xavier's aunt to give mother and son some privacy in this trying time. Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments, or messages of inspiration for Xavier. Also feel free to use the hashtag #striveforX to reach out to Xavier via social media.