#TeamOwen (Owen Weaver)

6/30/24 Update:

We are quickly approaching the 10-month mark of Owen’s journey to recovery and we wanted to send out an update on the progress Owen has made over the last few months (we have also updated his picture to something more recent). Owen has gone from inpatient to outpatient at Shirley Ryan in Chicago which was a HUGE step. He is now a big city apartment dweller and has been reunited with his beloved puppy dog, Tuna. It has been an easy transition for Owen to be outside the hospital and he really enjoys playing video games with his adaptive Xbox equipment, YouTube, petting his dog Tuna, and watching romantic comedies with his Mom. He has settled into a good routine with Shirley Ryan therapies (OT, PT, and speech) 4 times a week for 4 hours per day, hyperbaric chamber/ functional neurology 4 times per week for 2 hours per day, and music therapy for two hours a week. The apartment we are renting is only a few blocks away from all his therapies which helps him get the most out of every day.

Over the last several months Owen has accomplished so much we thought it might be easier to absorb in a list:

• His trach is gone

• He went from inpatient to outpatient

• He has completed 45 hours of hyperbaric oxygen therapies (goal is 50 hours)

• He has completed 4 months of outpatient therapy (4 hours per day, 4 times per week)

• He does two hours of music therapy per week

• He has gained functional movement in his left arm

• He has started to talk and can consistently say Mom and hey

• He just got an iPad that he can use to communicate with

• He just got his power wheelchair and can navigate the busy streets of Chicago

• His left upper leg has started to work

• He can tell us when he needs to go to the bathroom

• He is starting to eat 2 nuggets per day which is a great sign to getting his G-Tube removed

• He has successfully flown on a commercial plane for a week trip back home to Portland

• He has been able to reduce the amount of medication he is on

Owen has been diagnosed with severe polyneuropathy which is a big focus on the treatment over the coming months as he transitions back home. Here is what Owen is concentrating on over the next few months:

• 6-8 weeks of acupuncture treatment to help with the polyneuropathy

• Get special glasses to help with his vision and spatial awareness

• Start aqua therapy

• Continue functional neurology with a focus on rebuilding his nerves because of the polyneuropathy

• Continue PT, OT, Speech therapies

• Continue to increase the amount of eating he does on a daily basis to eventually remove his G-Tube

• More practice in his power wheelchair

• Use FMS and nerve rebuilder treatments to build back up his damaged nerves in his body so he can start to move his legs and right arm more

• Continue to reduce medications

We are all so very proud of how hard Owen is working and the great attitude he has been able to maintain through this process. We have been so fortunate to have so many people follow Owen’s journey and want to help him get better. We are so grateful for all the prayers, support, money that has been raised, and love there is for Owen because we couldn’t put Owen in the position he is in now without the help of everyone. Owen is a champion and we are going to do everything we can to put him in the best situation to get better as soon as possible. We want Owen to get home and back to all his normal routines with his friends, family, hobbies, and sports. We still have a long journey but are grateful for every day we get to spend with Owen #teamowen

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2/16/24 Update: 

Today marks 5 months since Owen’s accident. He is still in Chicago at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab undergoing intense rehab for his traumatic brain injury. Owen is working hard every day to make small steps forward. 

We know Owen was always surrounded by his friends (they miss him immensely) and they are all anxious to see him again and celebrate the progress he has made since he left Portland. We know the work is far from over so in the meantime #TeamOwen, please continue to pray for Owen’s recovery as well as for strength for his family.

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12/4/23 Update:

Today is a BIG day!! Owen has boarded a Medical Flight bound for Chicago to begin his rehab at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. He will spend the next several months foucusing on both his mental and physical recovery and rehabilitation.

We all know that with the power of prayer, the tremendous support of his family and the incredidible knowledge of his medical teams, Owen will continue to make miracales happen!

Thank you again to everyone that has shown support to Owen in so many ways over the last 11 weeks since his accident. Keep praying #TeamOwen!

You can follow his journey through the CaringBridge site linked below.

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10/23/23 Update:

Owen was moved out of the PICU on 10/18 and has made some small steps forward this past week. We all know this is a very long and uncertain road, but we are thankful for each and every positive sign Owen gives us. We also know medical expenses will continue to accumulate therefore we have increased the GoFundMe goal. We are beyond thankful for every donation and every prayer. #TeamOwen continues to grow every day, thank you for joining his team!

You can also get updates on his CaringBridge site, linked below.

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Owen Weaver was in a car accident Saturday, September 16th coming home from the Oregon State football game and suffered a traumatic brain injury. After the accident he was transported to a local hospital in Corvallis. From there he was life flighted to a Portland Hospital and immediately taken into surgery. He is in the very beginning part of this long journey to recovery. He is currently in the PICU getting care from the best pediatric healthcare professionals in Oregon. Owen has a long road to recovery ahead of him but he is strong and he is a fighter!

Updates from Alex and Rylie will be posted on the Caring Bridge Site.

Caring Bridge for Owen Weaver

Please continue to send your prayers.

#TeamOwen

#TeamOwen is a group of family, friends and individuals, in and around our community, rallying emotional and financial support to Owen following this tragic accident.

Owen has been my son's best friend since preschool and as many of us can agree, our kids live their best life at Owen's house! The intent for this GoFundMe is to support Owen's current medical care and anticipated ongoing care as his medical journey progresses. Funds received will be distributed directly to his mother, Rylie Hancock.