Austin Hatch Update: "his progress appears to be accelerating"
More encouraging news on Austin Hatch, via his CaringBridge page:
Austin has had another successful week of therapy. His progress appears to be accelerating. As one family member says, "Every day is a great day". While he misses his parents deeply, he emulates their example in his humility, genuine care/concern for others and his steadfast faith. His visitors this past week were especially encouraging to him. He ate Buffalo Wild Wings, one of his favorites, during the exciting Michigan football victory last Saturday.
September 15th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
That's great that he got to watch the game.
September 15th, 2011 at 4:59 PM ^
He is eating real food and watching football. That is a long way from critical condition and being in a coma. It might not seem like it now, but he is already one of the lucky ones. I hope that everyone here who has even a little bit of belief in any form of God prays for him every time a thread comes up.
September 15th, 2011 at 1:57 PM ^
I wish nothing but the best for Austin. He's already had a lifetimes worth of grief. The kid just needs a break! God bless him.
September 15th, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^
Eating Bdubs during the game. His recovery has officially reached the pinnacle of my life.
September 15th, 2011 at 2:16 PM ^
Dude this kid is someday gonna suit up for the University of Michigan, and he's gonna be such an insperation. It truly doesn't matter if he ever gets to play a game of basketball again in his life.
September 15th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
Based off of his recovery thus far, my quarter says he'll be playing, and playing well...
September 15th, 2011 at 2:43 PM ^
We are all pulling for you, Austin.
September 15th, 2011 at 2:50 PM ^
I will no longer take eating Buffalo Wild Wings during a football game for granted.
So great to hear the news of his constant recovery.
September 15th, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
a little perspective from time to time can be fairly humbling
My Father died of a massive coronary when I was 21 (he was 52). Needless to say it was unexpected. Thats was the toughest thing I have been through so far in life, and to think of Austin, losing his Mother AND his Father unexpectedly, AND having to deal with his own recovery?
Best of luck to this young man, and to those who love and support him. If anyone knows of a recovery fund or some such to help Austin please, let me know. Thank you
September 15th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^
Your Michigan family is pulling for you and praying for you.
September 15th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
Great news! Austin has shown how strong he is and the values that his parents instilled into him.
September 15th, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
and I understand the sensitvity/ privacy of the situation, its hard to know what these updates even mean without a little more clarity. For example, can he walk, talk, eat on his own etc. Not trying to be calous, but its hard to know what the updates mean without the context.
September 15th, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^
is a good sign.
My cousin was hit by a car when he was 15 and had a closed head injury and was in a coma for 3 months before coming out of it. It was a long haul, and still is - but they had to feed my cousin through an external tube into his stomach, and I don't see them squeezing a hot wing down a tube that small.
Godspeed Austin. Praying for a full recovery.
September 15th, 2011 at 5:31 PM ^
for little clues to his recovery. He's taking speech and physical therapy, which means he's capable of taking part in both though not necessarily saying anything about the clarity of speech or what he can do physically on his own. Posts from those close to him compliment him on how hard he's working, and encouraging him not to be discouraged if the progress isn't as fast as he'd like (he really wants to go home already), but if you search back a week or so ago, there are two posts on the guestbook from Austin thanking a couple of the people close to him (one might be a teacher, one might be from his church) who post almost daily. Whether he typed them or dictated them, who knows. But what a beautiful surprise. If his brain is recovering, all else is gravy. (Or Buffalo sauce?)
September 15th, 2011 at 4:11 PM ^
We are all pulling and praying for you. Gob Bless this young man.
September 15th, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^
Wouldn't it be great if McGary kicked it out to Hatch to hit the game-winning three to give us the national title?
September 15th, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^
I'm going to hold out on being completely impressed until we know what sauce he got on his wings.
September 16th, 2011 at 8:05 AM ^
I bet he did the Blazin' Challenge during Halftime with ease! The hottest I can handle is Mango Habenero which is like their 3rd hottest.
All joking aside, I am just humbled and grateful for everything when I read these updates. He lost his father and step mother in this one, and the rest of his family in the first one, yet this kid continues to strive to recover and live as normal life as he can given the circumstances.
Austin, I hope that no matter what, you know the Michigan Fanbase is behind you and we hope to see you tear up the basketball court for The Wolverines next year!
September 16th, 2011 at 12:42 AM ^
This is great news, it seems like he's improving at a pretty fast rate. Hopefully he can keep up the recovery process.