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