[74-911]

56 days ago the 26 year old son of a good friend and distant relative flew from San Diego to Austin to attend the bachelor party of his soon to be brother-in-law. His wife being 7 months pregnant stayed in San Diego.

A little after midnight he left the party saying it had been a long day and he was really tired and was going back to the motel. Friends said he had 2-3 beers at the most. Security cameras at the parking garage showed his walking out of the elevator, unlocking his car then walking over to the 4 ft outside retaining wall. He stood there a few minutes, straddled the wall, leaned back against a support column and fell asleep. Over an hour later he wakes with a start and falls the wrong way. Seven stories later his fall is somewhat broken by some bushes and 6" of mulch. Missed concrete sidewalk by less than a foot.

A man sees him hit the ground, dials 911, the EMS is there in less than 5 minutes and has him in Austin's main trauma unit in less than 5 minutes. Massive head injuries, 3 broken vertabrae were the main injuries. He has been on and off a ventilator since then. Is not responsive to commands, drifts in and out of consciousness, etc. Earlier this week they did some kind of spinal shunt? to help drain the fluid off his brain. He was transferred to a hospital in Dallas that is supposed to have the best TBI treatment in this area a few weeks ago. Last report said he has developed mild pneumonia and had some kind of infection in blood and they are giving him antibiotics to try and control.

His wife has since had their baby and are both OK after a struggle. Dr.s said extreme stress was the main problem. These are very religiious people and everyone in the family network gets an e-mail update just about weekly which always encourages everyone to please pray for _____ and his family.

I am definite backslider religion wise and after several conversations with other family members we kind of ask ourselves what exactly should we be praying for ?? I truly believe it will take a miracle for him to ever come out of this and his current conddition could go on who knows how long .. I just don't know if I really believe in miracles anymore.