UPDATE – MONDAY 9-6-21 – Today marks the 8^th Anniversary of the date of Michaels Accident. It has been a long and difficult road for Michael. He continues to battle to recover. Overall Michael's health has remained well. He has had a few bumps in the road, however he has managed to recover. His Mom, brother and I remain vigilante in our belief that he will regain some form of communication. He is certainly more aware than any doctor predicted that he would be. He aware and reacts to new visitors. He continues to appear that he is attempting to speak. He definitely lets his Mom know if he is unhappy by moaning loudly and by turning his head away when she attends to his daily oral hygiene and when she shaves him. All great signs to us that he is definitely in there, he just needs to find way through. 

There have been several recent new changes for Michael, my wife and me. As a result of COVID, we noticed a dramatic change in the quality of Michaels daily care. Because we were not able to be with Michael daily, we witnessed a steady decline his daily hygiene and overall care via brief facetime calls a few times a week. Also because of they stopped all therapy for him. When we were finally allowed to visit once a week for him 30-minutes, we were treated like Michael was not a patient, more like he was inmate. Because of ridiculously strict COVID restrictions we had to wear masks and stay 6 feet away from him even with my wife and I fully vaccinated, while at the same time nurse’s aides could be right next to him, many of whom had no vaccinations. If we were to get closer, we were scolded by the same aides. Further aggravating us both. As a result, we made the decision to relocate Michael to a facility that would provide better care and continue his therapy.  Through a very diligent research effort by my wife, she found a Long-Term Nursing facility that focuses on TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) therapy, located in Freehold New Jersey. We applied and Michael was accepted. This now meant that we needed to relocate as well. Thankfully after a very long and difficult search we were very fortunate to find a home close enough to Michael, so we continue to take him home for daily short stay visit with us. We found a house in Aberdeen NJ and even more fortunate right around the corner from our son Anthony’s house. So we sold our home in Staten Island and now we are only 10 miles from Michael and steps away from Anthony and our Grand kids. We are both so happy we made the move, as the neighborhood is so nice and quiet as well.

We relocated Michael on June 10^th and settled him in. The facility has already started basic therapy and allows us to pick him up daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 PM. The facility is very nice and extremely attentive to Michael. So far, we are pleased and just pray that with his therapy continuing once again and that new facility will help to make the quality of Michaels Life better.

As always, we Thank Everyone for Your Thoughts and Prayers

Regards

Mom and Dad Bartolo

 UPDATE - 2-14-21- Sorry for the long delay in our posting. As a result of the Pandemic, we are still prevented from physically being with Michael. So there is really not much new to report. We briefly see him every weekday via Facetime. Just not the same, as it is very difficult for Michael to comprehend why he is looking at us via the phone and it is so difficult for us not to Physically be with him and worse that we have not be able to bring him home in just about a year. My wife, however gets to physically be with him on his monthly trips to Lutheran Hospital to see his neurologist. At least she gets to be with him, it is extremely hard for her as well, as she must say good bye upon their return to his facility. 

As a result of the changes this past year, we have made a major decision for Michael and my wife and I. We have decided to relocate Michael to a facility in New Jersey that specializes in TBI Patients. We feel he will be better cared for and they may get better results with him. We are working through the admission process and plan to move him once all is approved, he is cleared and can be safely transferred. To make this move possible We have since sold our home here on Staten Island and are have purchased a home in New Jersey near our son Anthony. We are in the process of packing and plan to move within the coming weeks, then afterwards we will move Michael. to the new facility which will be close to our new home. 

With all this going on, I will not be able to post. Once Michael and My wife and I are all settled in, I will post with updated information. 

My wife and I truly appreciated all the continued prayers and support. May God Keep You and Your Family Safe. 

Regards

Mom and Dad Bartolo 

     UPDATE - 10-5-20 - Michael is well. We have been permitted to visit with Michael once a week for about 30 minutes. We however are required to go for a COVID Test each week and submit the results before we are allowed to schedule out visit. The visit is closely monitored by hospital staff however we are thankful we are finally able to physically visit with him. 

The weekly testing is difficult and yet another hurdle that we need to overcome to get through this. Like with everything else, we will do whatever we have to in order to help our Michael. He seems so what confused by us wearing the masks when we visit. However we believe he knows it is us. 

We are scheduled to visit with Michael on Tuesdays and we go for the COVID Test on Wednesdays for the upcoming weeks visit. 

Not much else new to report as our time with Michael is extremely limited making this whole COVID situation a nightmare for both my wife and I and especially for Michael. 

We pray for all of this to finally come to end and for everyone to Stay Safe and Healthy. 

As always we Thank Everyone for your continued prayers and support

Regards

Mom and Dad Bartolo 

 UPDATE – 9-15-20 – This Month marks a sad anniversary for our Michael. On Tuesday 9-6-20 is the 7-year anniversary of his accident. Although it has been an incredibly long journey, Michael made some amazing advances. At the time of his accident we were told he may not survive, if he did, he may never emerge from his coma, and if he did, he would most likely remain in a vegetative state.

Well we knew and believed differently, we knew if anyone could push through, it would be our Michael. We were right. He is more aware of his surrounding and activities that occur around him and definitely to him. Regretfully he is still unable to communicate. We remain vigilant in our belief that one day he will find a way.

Regretfully Michael had to be transferred to S.I. hospital earlier this month as he was having a difficulty with stomach cramps. He spent about a week there and thankfully they were able to clear the issue. As this was overly concerning, there was a huge benefit to his stay at the hospital. My wife and I were permitted to be with Michael and stay with him as he cannot communicate. This is something that we have not been able to do since the start of the pandemic. The Nursing home still does not permit visitors. We both find this so frustrating and so stressful. This makes no logical sense at this point that a hospital allowed us to be with him every day for 24 hours a day, yet nursing home still does not. 

My wife and I took turns each day and switched places, so he was never alone. I had a very gratifying experience with Michael. I have not physically been with Mike for 6 months. When I arrived by his bedside, I called to him, he looked at me however, I had a mask on. I slide the mask down and moments later he gave me the biggest smile. I was happy beyond my words to see he knew it was me. as I was concerned, he may not recognize me. Another sign of his recovery.  

Upon on his discharge, he was transported back to the home, my wife accompanied him in the ambulance, however she had to leave his side at their front door. We have appealed to everyone we can, however to no avail, all nursing homes remain locked down by order of Governor Cuomo. My wife does get to accompany him to once a month for his visit to see his neurologist in Lutheran Hospital. However, she must wait for him to be brought down by the ambulance attendants and must say goodbye upon their return to the home.

Again, this makes no logical sense at this point. We pray that this policy ends soon. Starting next week they are planning to allow us to have a short patio visit with him once week at a socially distant space. We are not sure how he will react to this. Only time will tell.

We both pray for everyone to stay healthy and safe and as always thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Regards Mom and Dad Bartolo

UPDATE - 8-6-20 - Hoping everyone is remaining safe, healthy, and are practicing social distancing. Once again, regretfully we do not have much to report as Michael's Rehab Hospital remains on Locked Down. We have not been able to be with Michael since 3/13/20.

My wife did have an opportunity to physically be with Michael yesterday 8/5/20 to go with him on his monthly visit to his neurologist in Bay Ridge by ambulance for his Baclofen pump refill. Just like last month, Initially Michael did not react to seeing her as she had her mask on. She attempted to get his attention to no avail. However when she quickly lowered her mask and called to him he reacted by turning his head towards her, and sadly began to appear to cry. While this was extremely distressing for her, she was also was very gratified that he reacted and feels that he still knew her. 

My wife said that Michael was also very vocal. We have found that He moans loudly when he is either stressed or unhappy. This is especially true when he arrives at the office and when he sees his Neurologist. She commented as well that she felt he has become more aware of his surroundings A positive step in the right direction. 

The facility does facetime us every few days, however while it is good to see him we are not sure if he understands as to why he is seeing us via the phone. We can only hope and pray that he is doing ok emotionally and physically. 

The facility is still preventing visitation. They are still very concerned with the spread of the virus as the majority of the residents are senior citizens who are the most vulnerable. They are currently offering scheduled window visits, we have opted not to schedule one. We believe it will be very difficult for Michael to comprehend and for us to gain his attention.  

They have announced protocol for Patio visits with Social distancing on 7-15-20. The protocol is the facility must be Covid Free for 28 Straight Days. 

Unfortunately we jsut heard TODAY someone tested positive so the clock starts AGAIN . We Now MUST Wait until 9-7-20 for the facility to be cleared. 

We believe that we are still months away from actually being able to physically be with Mike. We try to do everything we can for him and we try to stay positive and manage through this unbelievable situation. 

As always we so appreciate everyone's support 

UPDATE - 7-8-20 - Hoping everyone is remaining safe, healthy, and are practicing social distancing. Once again, regretfully we do not have much to report as Michael's Rehab Hospital remains on Locked Down. We have not been able to be with Michael since 3/13/20.

My wife did have an opportunity to physically be with Michael on 7/1/20 to go with him on his monthly visit to his neurologist in Bay Ridge by ambulance for his Baclofen pump refill. Initially Michael did not react to seeing her as she had her mask on. She attempted to get his attention to no avail. However when she quickly lowered her mask and called to him he reacted by turning his head towards her, and sadly began to appear to cry. While this was extremely distressing for her, she was also was very gratified that he reacted and still knew her. 

The facility does facetime us every few days, however while it is good to see him we are not sure if he understands as to why he is seeing us via the phone. We can only hope and pray that he is doing ok emotionally and physically. 

The facility is still preventing visitation. They are still very concerned with the spread of the virus as the majority of the residents are senior citizens who are the most vulnerable. They are working on the possibility of window visits and at some point possible patio visits with social distancing. However this is still a long way off. 

We believe that we are still months away from actually being able to physically be with Mike. We try to do everything we can for him and we try to stay positive and manage through this unbelievable situation. 

As always we so appreciate everyone's support and prayers and hope and pray that everyone stays safe and healthy. 

Warmest Regards
Mon and Dad Bar 

UPDATE - 6-3-20 - Hoping everyone is remaining safe, healthy, and are practicing social distancing. Once again, regretfully we do not have much to report as Michael's Rehab Hospital remains on Locked Down. We have not been able to be with Michael since 3/13/20.

As I had shared, this is the first time in the last 6 years that we have not been with him every day. I cannot express how deeply saddened and how stressful this is for us, as we can see that because of Michael not being mentally stimulated every day his awareness is regressing. On the days that we do get to briefly see him via Facetime, he is most often asleep. We believe that his days and nights are now mixed up. Which further stresses us, as we believe because of his isolation that he may just be laying there awake at night staring at the ceiling which is causing him to sleep during the day.

This situation was further magnified as My wife was allowed to accompany Michael in the ambulance last week for his monthly visit to see his neurologist, however Michael slept through the entire round trip to Brooklyn including the doctors injecting his medication into his Pump.  

Sadly, all of this leads us to believe that now all our prior efforts to help him recover may be lost.

We pray everyday that this situation may change soon, and we can at a minimum, visit with him every day and shortly after that resume taking him home for his daily home visits.

Again, as always, we so appreciate your continued support, prayers and hoping that for us all that this terrible situation comes to end soon. Be safe, stay healthy and be careful.

Regards
Mom and Dad Bartolo