SWC Mike 'Dorkman' Scott Injured, Needs Our Help

From TFN Main:

During a break from work, Michael Scott was walking to get dinner when a car jumped the curb and pinned him to a concrete wall. He has a lot of internal damage as well as broken bones and a fractured skull. His color is good though, and his pulse ox has climbed. He will remain on paralytics until he can fully stabilize then further address the internal damage. He is currently at Cedars Sinai in critical condition, after undergoing emergency surgery last night.

He needs our help..

If you wish to donate there is a link in the TFN Main article. Regulars of our Fan Film forum will be familiar with the 'Ryan vs Dorkman' lightsaber duels. There is a video of one in the TFN article.

 

Hope he makes it out okay.

 

Wishing for the best.

 

Just a note that a Facebook page has been set up for updates on his condition. You can see it here.

 

Absolutely horrible. I don't have a lot of money right now ( ) but I'll make sure to donate if I'm able. Many good vibes his way; Certainly hoping the Force his with him.

 

They've been putting daily updates on the Facebook page linked above.

 

Update from the Facebook page:

Now that Michael is no longer in the ICU, we have been told that we may start to really decorate his room. It is important for the staff to see who he is. So if you would like to send cards, pictures of Michael, or you and Michael please do

If you have something to share there are snail mail and email addresses on the page..

 

Posted on the Facebook page:
Update on the driver: We have found out that the driver was admitted to the hospital on the day of the accident as well. There was a police officer outside their hospital room as the driver was under arrest even before they left the hospital. It was reported to us that the cause of the accident was texting while driving.

 

No surprise, that'd be one of the biggest causes of accidents worldwide now. If only some folks could lay down their phone while driving.

Gonna send some support by sending a card or two. Hope Michael's doing okay.

 

Yeah, they have a law in the UK against use of hands-on phones while driving but they don't seem to enforce it in my area - I see plenty of people using them while driving.

 

Updates are on Facebook page. Although, it'd be nice to receive them here too.

 

There are earlier updates on the Facebook page. This was posted yesterday:


After a staff meeting earlier in the week, Mike's doctors have decided to move forward on several items.

On the physical therapy front, the decision was made to get him out of the bed on a regular basis. Yesterday, they hoisted him into a chair and put him in a sitting position. The TV was on (near the end of GODZILLA) but he wasn't paying attention to it. He was looking around the room, able to actually see more of it from his new position. After the movie ended, the next one up was GHOSTBUSTERS (such serendipity), and he immediately was affixed to the screen. Mike lasted about an hour before falling asleep.

We've been told that Cedars Sinai staff has begun constructing the prosthetic skull replacement for the portion of his head that still lacks a skull. On the right side of his head, there is what looks like a large dent. a portion of the skull (about 2 fists in size) is gone. The skin was sewn closed, but the swelling has gone down enough that the skin has sunken into his head and it looks quite disturbing if unprepared for it. They've left it like this to allow the brain swelling to go down, and in case it flares back up again. The construction of the prosthetic is heartening, because it means that soon he'll have a full intact skull, and will look more normal again.

He still seems a little more depressed than he was earlier into his waking period. Some questions asked to him with the YES/NO signs will earn a flat stare, though after we saw him feeling his face with his hands (he has a full beard) we asked him if he wanted a shave. That got an immediate [YES]. We're looking to coordinate with the nurses on this as he's on blood-thinners, so they don't want anything that could cut him even accidentally.

 

From the Facebook page:

"Mike, are you feeling depressed?"
[YES]

"Do you want to get better and come home?"
[YES]

We remind him as often as we can that this is all temporary, and that he'll be back to full capacity again, that it just takes time. We tell him that we are there for him through it, and that beyond those in the hospital, that there are all of his extended family and friends sending their well wishes and following his progress. Still, a part of me is relieved that he's feeling depression (as horrible as that sounds), because it is indicative of a higher level of comprehension and awareness.

Earlier today there was a small group in the room with him, and his spirits seemed high. There was joking, banter, and laughter. He appeared to be smiling through most of it. Then the yes/no signs were brought out for some questions that just had to be answered.

"Mike, Ghostbusters 3 is coming out, no joke. All female cast. Are you excited?"
[YES]

"There are going to be more Harry Potter movies. If they go for an 'adult Harry as an auror' angle, should they recast Radcliffe as Harry, or cast someone older? Yes for recasting Radcliffe, no for casting someone else."

He took his time on this one, holding his hand to his chin before reaching out and grabbing [NO]. Sorry, Radcliffe.

 

From the Facebook page:

Yesterday, Michael was able to go outside for the first time since the accident. Our dad, mom, Michael's nephew and I were there to enjoy the time with him.
Michael smiled and watched his nephew as he came by the chair babbling away.
I also took time to read him many of the comments you have all left for him. He heard of the people he never knew he inspired, the friends who have been supportive, and the amount of people that love him. He held my hand, and would close his eyes and smile.

 

From the Facebook page:

Now that Michael is awake for longer periods, and seems to be trying to watch the TV in his room, We think seeing some of you on video messages will really make him happy.
We have set up an email account just for this:
video.for.dorkman@gmail.com
We are asking for you to send a very short, 20 seconds or so, video to him. We would love to be able to play them when any of us go visit, so he can see and hear all of the love everyone has for him.
Pease keep it short, well lit so he can see you clearly, and full of well wishes.
Thank you.

Edit - comment update - The wifi is not working at the facility. So actual files for this. Not youtube links.

 

I'll be getting a bunch of friends together for this.

 

From the FB page:

Michael was scheduled to have surgery, to replace the part of his skull that had to be removed, in January. But the doctors at the facility stated that he was ready at any time now. He has made much faster progress than they initially thought he would. So his mother wrote a letter to the brain surgeon at Cedar Sinai and sent it along with photos of his progress. The Doctor was so impressed at how far he has come that the surgery was been moved up to late December. This is great news.
We are hoping once the skull is fixed, Michael may feel comfortable enough to allow a small number of new visitors to come see him. But that is his decision to make.

 

From the FB page:
Today the physical therapist assessed Michael's ability to swallow. First with a liquid with a dye in it, to see if any gets in his lungs. And none did. So they moved onto ice chips and he did well. Last, applesauce, which Michael doesn't like. But he was able to swallow successfully, so they will hopefully be starting him on soft mushy foods sometime next week.
Another step in the right direction!

 

Things are sounding great!

 

From the FB page:

The physical therapist decided that Michael was ready for sitting at the edge of the bed with assistance for the first time today. It will help him with developing core strength and trunk control. This is one of the steps on the road to standing and then walking again, so we are all very excited for him.

 

I hope so to his lightsaber duels on youtube were good.

 

One step closer to being okay, sounds like things are going great!

 

A couple of FB updates:

There have been some small but significant improvements over the last two weeks.

1. Physical therapy has been pushing him hard to improve his muscle strength and coordination. They are having sit on the edge of the bed each day for an increasing amount of time.
2. His right eyelid now opens about 1/2 way and continues to open wider every day.
3. He has started to eat again (instead of relying on a feeding tube). Today is the first day he will have three meals of solid (albeit pureed) food, including meat, potatoes, vegetables and dessert. He is also drinking out of a water bottle and can drink milk through a straw. They are still using the feeding tube at night until he can eat enough calories on his own.
4. He is able to lip-sync along with music played on a CD player (lots of 50s and 60s oldies.


Michael will be having surgery to insert a prosthetic skull piece on December 22nd. Can use your support and good wishes.