How You Can Help a Lake Minnetonka Family Win a Handicapped Accessible Van

From Debbie Dahl Swanson vial Lake Minnetonka Patch's Facebook page:

Jay Van Bockel was in a serious auto accident on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2012 at the age of 19 and airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, FL. He had a brain bleed, with a little bruising on his brain, bruised lungs, a torn diaphragm, a broken left clavicle, sprained ankles and was in a coma in critical but stable condition.

After four weeks of being in a coma he was diagnosed as persistent vegetable state. The hospital he was in did not specialize in brain trauma. The best place found was Bethesda Hospital in Minnesota, where his family resides. Bethesda Hospital specializes with brain trauma injuries. Jay spent four months at Bethesda Hospital and then was moved into a nursing home near the family and has been there for a little over a year now.

Jay cannot talk or walk yet, but he can communicate with a Dyno Vox (a computer that can speak for him). He is transported to the Courage Center Rehabilitation Center three times a week for therapy. His mother would like to get him out of the nursing home and has looked for another place for Jay to live but the closest group home that will accept Jay is an hour away. She is also in the process of looking for a differant place to live that is handicap accessible where she can bring Jay home.

Jay has come a long ways from the time of his accident and his diagnoses. He has worked very hard and continues to work very hard at his recovery. Jay will be having his second birthday in the nursing home and will be turning 21 years old next month. Jay keeps asking his Mother why he is there and tells her he wants to go home. This family has been through so much in the last 16 months.

Jay is our local hero and his family as well. They still have a long road ahead of them and anything to make this journey easier would be a blessing!

Click here to vote for Jay as a local hero and help win him a a handicapped accessible van.