Mike has been getting intensive physical and occupational therapy five times a week. During most of these sessions, he has been able to do some pretty amazing things. He stood up on his own for the first time, and was able to stay standing with the assistance of the physical therapist. He was also able to walk two yards with the assistance of a walker and had his eyes open the whole time.
His tracheotomy valve was downsized and shortly after the procedure he said his first clear words. While the respiratory nurse was giving Mike his breathing treatment, he said, "Stop! Don't touch that!" The speech therapist put a speech valve on Mike's trachea later that day. On Thursday, Mike answered several biographic questions (What's your name, age, etc?). He was also able to verbalize when he was hot, cold, tired, etc. He then surprised his nurse this past weekend when during therapy he asked her to turn on the air-conditioner because it was too hot and then noted that the room was also too bright.
While Mike is progressing quickly, he still has another brain surgery and a lot of rehabilitation ahead of him. His cranioplasty (the surgery to place the bone back in his skull) is tentatively scheduled for the first week of March. If he recovers well, he will enter a rehab facility where he will continue getting therapy. There are two different ways that you can help immediately. All proceeds will be given directly to the Michael J. Vincent fund.
1. Make a donation using paypal
2. Mail checks to:
Michael J. Vincent Fund
903 Hyperion Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029
*Donations are not tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Please don't hesitate, donate today!
There is now a webpage set up to check on updates and also to leave Mike and his family message .
* Please note that the donation button on the page DOES NOT GO TO MIKE VINCENT. To make a donation for him please follow the instructions above.
To anyone who would like to host an event, fundraiser, carwash, bake sale, game, contest, concert, and anything else you can put creative minds to raise awareness and money for this cause, please contact us through. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Once again we thank everyone for his or her support through the beginning stages of this ordeal. Everything including donations, prayers, and get-well cards, has brought Mike's family much relief during these hard times. We are also happy to report very good news. Since moving to a private room from ICU, two weeks ago, Mike has surpassed almost all predictions and projections of his recovery.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.