Michael, Only 5, Has Already Experienced A Life No One Should Have to Know
Michael, 5, suffers from right side paralysis and severe traumatic brain injury due to non-accidental trauma. Several years ago, Michael and his siblings were removed from their parents’ custody due to multiple reports to the Department of Children and Family Services alleging severe neglect. Following their initial removal from the parent’s custody, Michael and his sibling, Samuel, were placed with their maternal grandmother.
After two weeks in the maternal grandmother's custody, Michael, severely beaten and unconscious, and Samuel, beaten and burned, was taken to the local hospital. It was learned that both Michael and Samuel suffered substantial abuse during the two weeks the children lived with the maternal grandmother.
This abuse included repeated slamming on the ground, burnings with an iron, severe beatings with a cane, and sexual abuse. Michael was in a coma for three months. Three months later, Michael regained consciousness with brain damage and right side paralysis.
When he was discharged from the hospital, custody of the three children was returned to his paternal grandparents. As a result of these devastating circumstances, Michael’s principal diagnosis is Severe Traumatic Brain Injury due to Non-Accidental Trauma. The right side of his body is paralyzed. He cannot walk on his own. He is dependent on his grandparents for all activities of daily living. The damage to his skill and injury to his brain has caused speech regression and incontinence. He wears diapers and a helmet full time.
Since his return to his paternal grandparents, Michael is slowly recovering from these extensive and traumatic injuries. He attends physical and speech therapy regularly. He is thriving at his grandparents’ home because of the continuous emotional support, love and care they provide for him.
Despite living on extremely low resources and a fixed income, Michael’s grandparents provide a stable, loving and nurturing environment for Michael, his siblings and their cousins. Since Michael and his siblings have special medical needs and require 24-hour care, both of their grandparents stay at home to raise and care for the children.
Michael’s attorney contacted Partners in Care Foundation’s Family Care Network since Michael’s physical health was deteriorating and he was in need of critical equipment not covered by Regional Center or MediCal. The requested equipment would assist Michael in his recovery.
Program staff at Family Care Network applied for financial assistance from Change a Life Foundation, Family Care Network’s primary donor, on behalf of Michael. Two months later, Change a Life Foundation stepped in when there was no other resources.
Michael was provided with a higher quality of life, an improved physical condition and a happier and more stable childhood. He was awarded a therapeutic tricycle. Since receipt of this gift, Michael’s quality of life and medical condition has dramatically improved. Michael is now able to continue his physical therapy routine at home. His new tricycle increases his strength, improves his muscle mass and allows him to practice the routine daily. According to his physical therapist, with continuous therapy and exercise, Michael may be able to walk again, independently without assistive equipment.
Because of this wonderful grant made possible by Family Care Network, Michael’s independence, self-reliance and determination have increased. Most importantly, he is now receiving the love he never knew.
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About Family Care Network and Change a Life Foundation: Partners in Care Foundation launched Family Care Network in 1997 as a safety-net program for low income, underserved individuals and families who are facing a disability, chronic illness or catastrophic life event. Our funding partners include Change a Life Foundation, Rose Hills Foundation and other public and private funding sources.
