Dad's Update I - 9/1/09
On Sunday, August 30, Bryce (John's oldest son - 20 years old) was involved in a diving accident in Switzerland. He was medflight/flown from the site of the accident to the 'Centre Suisse de Paraplegic' in Nottwil, Switzerland. Bryce had arrived in Geneva earlier in the week (Wednesday, August 26th) to start his first semester of his junior year abroad. We were all very excited for and proud of him. We still are. I've attached two recent photos of him (For those of you who do not know Bryce, he is the handsome tan one!!).
We understand many many many people are praying for Bryce. This is certainly beyond our realm of comprehension. For this, we thank you from the depths of our hearts.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:9-10
The following are John's words:
We are at the early stage of Bryce's injury right now so please be patient with questions. Each day will hopefully bring progress and new information. Communications by phone are very expensive so responses to emails and phone calls will be limited; best to call Meg at 203-722-8045 for verbal updates. I am in Switzerland right now with Bryce at the Centre Suisse de Paraplegiques in Nottwil, near Luzerne (41-41-939-54-54). Jennifer, Bryce's mom, and Aunt Leslie are here too. Jennifer will be here for an extended period of time to support Bryce through the following difficult months. Her number is 011-41-079-880-6320 and email is zaccaraj@taftschool.org. Here are the facts as we know them right now.
Bryce incurred a neck injury diving into Lake Geneva in shallow water. He apparently dove poorly in a freak mistake (too vertically) and slammed into the bottom head first. He lost feeling from the chest down immediately and was floating face down in the water, without use of his limbs, when he was rescued by nearby swimmers. Some quick and good decision making by local people lead to him being airlifted to this center, which specializes in these types of injuries. He never lost consciousness and seems to be fully communicable. We have not seen the police report yet so we need to confirm these details among others - these are Bryce's recollections.
He is currently paralyzed from the chest down, with limited use of his arms (can bend arms, but cannot stretch them, and cannot use his fingers). He has some movement and feelings in his arms and hands, but not much. This is called 'quadraplegia' (or 'tetraplegia' in Switzerland); if he regains use of his arms, then that is paraplegia.
He badly fractured C-6 and has a contusion of the spinal cord from the compression - blood (hemotoma) and other swelling damage (endema) in the spinal cord from C5 to C7. After CAT and MRI scans, the doctors decided to operate to stabilize the spine. In the process, they removed C-6 and took pieces from his pelvic area to stabilize the area, then bolted on a metal plate to fuse C-5 to C-7.
It is too early for us to know recovery outcomes. Each day brings new opportunity for new movement to emerge. This will take some time to clear up (4-6 weeks) and show any fruit. Recovery of his arms and hands will depend upon that clearing up process, but it appears highly probable that he has permanently lost use of his lower body. He is undergoing extensive daily physical therapy to help re-engage his nerve system. The nerve system is comprised of 3 key areas: muscles, feel, and autonomic, the last area being a kind of balance and control system that manages all the parts of the body. Because of the loss of muscle control below the diaphram (rib and trunk muscles), Bryce has been having trouble breathing, but they are working on helping him learn to exercise the shoulder, neck, and diaphram muscles in a new way to normalize his pulmonary process (effective coughing and clearing throat). His air intake is strong at 1.8 liters. Getting him to a wheel chair is a primary goal too, expected on Wednesday.
He cannot be moved until the respiratory training program is finished - perhaps about 3 weeks, but more likely 4-6 weeks. The normal recovery under the Swiss Centre's training recovery process is 8-9 months, incorporating both physical and mental programs. US programs are apparently shorter, but according to the Swiss, less effective holistically long term.
On the positive front, we are praying and hoping for respiratory and upper body improvements and apparently if he can get up to his elbows back, he can be trained back to independent activities of daily living (ADLs). The center here has awesome physical therapy and facilties and apparently is one of the best places in Europe for this type of injury (100-150 people per year). The SIT organization (international school) has been absolutely fantastic in its responsiveness and care for Bryce and us during this week here, sending three people to take care of us and pay for our housing.
We are still trying to get information on available insurance coverage from SIT and Jennifer's Taft School policy. Not sure what limitations there are yet, but we anticipate a cost far above what we can afford collectively. More to come on that.
Please pray for Bryce's continued improvement, for his psychological adjustment, and for us all to communicate effectively through this challenging process. There have been many shed tears on this end and deep sadness, but we are strengthening with perseverence for Bryce to help him through the mighty challenges ahead.
All ideas and suggestions regarding US based expertise and facilities, governmental programs (Fed, CT, and MA), and SSD-Medicare-Medicaid are welcome.
John
