A recent post on Bryan Stow's blog gave the surprising news that he is out of rehab and at his parents home in Santa Cruz County, though the news isn't all that heartening - his condition seems to be deteriorating.
His parents are blaming their woes on insurance.
"After a long two years of being away from home, the insurance company has ceased payment for CNS (rehab), so Bryan has come home," the blog post reads.
The family said while they are glad to have him home, he has physically experienced a big setback from a lack of physical therapy.
Stow, a major San Francisco Giants fan and a paramedic from Santa Clara, grabbed national headlines on March 31, 2011 when he was attacked at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
He suffered permanent brain damage and has been confined to a wheelchair; a shell of the man he used to be. His alleged attackers, Louie Sanchez, 30, and Marvin Norwood, 30, pleaded not guilty to multiple counts in November.
"At first look and during conversations, Bryan appears to be doing better, cognitively," the post read. "But to be with him as much as we are, we see what others don’t. The memory problems, the use of words that do not belong, the pain he is in and the stiffness in his body that prevents him from being able to do things on his own. Due to a huge cut in therapy coverage, Bryan has physically experienced a big setback."
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MORE: Giants' Fan Stow Takes Another Step Back
They said the insurance doesn't cover 24-hour nursing care they say he needs so the family said they have hired in-home caregivers to get him up in the morning and to put him to bed at night. The family appeared frustrated with the setbacks.
"We do what we can at home, but he needs the 5 days a week that he grew accustomed to. We just don’t know how to get that for him," the post read.
The family also posted a video on YouTube Tuesday that shows Stow's long and agonizing journey. It has some photos that have never been seen before, including a photo of Barry Bonds visiting Stow and one picture that shows the damage to the back of his head.
The video begins with Opening Day in LA in 2011 and ends with a picture of Stow in his parent's backyard that must have been taken this weekend.
His daughter is on his right and his son is on his left. The image is labeled "Home!" and is set to the song, "Home," by 2012 American Idol winner Phillip Phillips. The final image shows the family has stayed loyal to the team Bryan loved the most. He reads"Go Giants!"
Here's the entire post:
HOME
June 06, 2013
Over two years ago, one phone call started us on this journey. We spent 6 weeks in LA, away from home, unsure if Bryan was even going to live. We then spent 5 months in San Francisco, closer to home but still a drive. Bryan was more stable, but we had moments where we could have lost him. Next, he was in San Jose for 5 months, where we were able to see more of what his injury impacted. We were able to have limited “conversations” with him and become acquainted with the “new” Bryan. He was similar to what we’ve always known, but he was also very different. There was some progress at VMC, but the insurance company felt he was no longer in need of this facility. The time came to look for a live-in care facility that focused on rehab. We chose a great facility -the Centre for Neuroskills in Bakersfield. Even though it was 4 hours away, we felt it was the best fit for Bryan. He received all forms of rehab every day, all while living in an apartment complex with 24 hour care. One of the four of us was with him every day.
After a long two years of being away from home, the insurance company has ceased payment for CNS, so Bryan has come home. Let us clarify something very important -Bryan could have benefited greatly by staying at CNS longer. We are so glad to have him home, but as prepared as we thought we were, it was a difficult transition. Bryan requires so much assistance and it is impossible for Ann and Dave to do it alone. Bryan requires 24 hour nursing care, but this is not covered by insurance. So we had to hire care givers in order to help Bryan to get up and showered in the morning, and get dressed and in bed in the evening. We are now the ones administrating his medical care, scheduling all his appointments, and preparing all his meals. We are not complaining…we have Bryan home! At first look and during conversations, Bryan appears to be doing better, cognitively. But to be with him as much as we are, we see what others don’t. The memory problems, the use of words that do not belong, the pain he is in and the stiffness in his body that prevents him from being able to do things on his own. Due to a huge cut in therapy coverage, Bryan has physically experienced a big setback. We do what we can at home, but he needs the 5 days a week that he grew accustomed to. We just don’t know how to get that for him.
Your support, love and prayers have gotten Bryan (and us!) this far and we can’t thank you enough.
