Teen who defied 1% odds to survive after crash needs future care funds

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Teen who defied 1% odds to survive after crash needs future care funds

The parents of a teenager who has defied the 1% odds of surviving after a horrific accident are now desperately raising funds for her future care.

Hailee Patnesky, 16, from Central Point, Oregon, was given less than 1% chance of waking up from life-altering brain surgery after she was knocked off her bike.

The accident on January 9 last year saw the teen get thrown several feet into the air, landing unconscious before being taken into hospital.

She was in a life-threatening condition and suffered from brain damage as well as suffering from oxygen deprivation.

In nearly a year since the smash, Hailee's family are fighting to keep her in hospital as she is still in desperate need of care.

Hailee is recovering in Nexus Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, but the family need to raise $100,000 to give her the best chance because their family health plan doesn't cover any future treatment.

Her mother, Michelle Patnesky, 49, who was a waitress for 30 years before giving up her job to take care of her daughter, said: 'Hailee remains on a "disorder of consciousness programme", a treatment programme for children operating on "lower level of consciousness".

'Despite her miraculous progress, Hailee is still in need of treatment which the family's health plan cannot cover.

'The surgeon asked me, if we were okay for them to take off part of her skull to help relieve the pressure in her brain.

'We said, do whatever you need to do.'

After 21 days of being in an induced coma, the doctor told Michelle and her husband Joe Patnesky, 47, that they couldn't keep the pressure in Hailee's brain down.

The only option to save her life was an invasive type of brain surgery known as bilateral craniotomy.

Michelle continued: 'We were told that her skull would be opened, and her brain could come out like toothpaste.

'They had to remove a bit of the frontal lobe, it was a five-and-a-half-hour surgery.'

When Hailee didn't wake up three days after the surgery, the doctors told Michelle that her daughter had less than a one per chance of waking up.

Despite all odds against her, Hailee miraculously pulled through.

Michelle said: 'She has surpassed everything they have told us.

'She is making slow progress, but it is still progress.'

Her mother has shared her desperate plea for the 16-year-old who is still in need of medical treatment one year after the incident.

Michelle added: 'Now, our health plan wants to discharge Hailee on January 12.

'They don't want to pay for her anymore.

'Right now, she has fluid in her third ventricle of the brain. She is in no way able to fly or go anywhere right now.

'It's the most excruciating thing this family has gone through.

'Sarah [Hailee's sister, 15] is no longer in school as she can't focus.

'She has nightmares every night after witnessing what happened to her sister.

'We are all still stuck on January 9.'

Hailee's road to recovery has impacted the family emotionally as well as financially as they search for Hailee's next care facility.

Hailee's father, Joe, has given up his job as a contractor to stay at home in Oregon with their other children; Sarah, 15 and Noah, seven.

Her younger brother, Noah, is also traumatised by the incident.

Michelle said: 'Since the accident, Noah has gained 60lbs. He is 130lbs right now because he is emotionally eating.'

Hailee's family launched a GoFundMe page in hopes to raise $100,000 for Hailee's road to recovery and future care.

Dozens of donor's have contributed and raised over $38,000 so far.

Michelle and Joe Patnesky are overwhelmed with the support and generosity they have received for their daughter so far.

Hailee, a student at North Medford High School had just started working at a local Dairy Queen before the accident.

'She is the most caring human being you will ever meet,' Michelle added.

'She bought sleeping bags and toothbrushes for the homeless with her first pay check.'

admin

admin

Content creator at LTD News. Passionate about delivering high-quality news and stories.

Comments

Leave a Comment

Be the first to comment on this article!
Loading...

Loading next article...

You've read all our articles!

Error loading more articles

loader