Dustin's Hope - Become a member of his DREAM TEAM.

Dustin Manwiller graduated from Commack High School in 2001. He was accepted at the NY Institute of Technology as a computer graphics major in September of the same year.During his junior year at NY Tech,Dustindecided to change his major as well as his school.He enrolled at SUNY Stony Brook as a biology/environmental studies student.However,Dustinsoon realized that overcrowded lecture halls and environmental scienceat Stony Brook were not for him. Heleft Stony Brook and took time off to reconsider his future.After spending some time "surfing" the net, herealized that he wanted tofollow the path of his Grandfatherand train to become a chef. In 2006 Dustin enrolled at the Culinary Academy, and beganworking toprepareto open his own sports bar, "a bar that would serve really good food". On a rainy Thanksgiving Eve 2006, Dustin's future plans changed forever. As a result of a horrific car accident, Dustin suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dustin was rushed unconscious to Stony Brook University Hospital where he received immediate medical care for serious fractures to his upper and lower body, collapsed lungs, and head injuries leaving him in a coma. The prognosis that we received from the doctor who evaluated Dustin was that he would remain in a non-responsive vegetative state. The doctor informedus that we would have to make a decision to either keep Dustin alive in his present conditionor to take him off life support.We wanted Dustin to live. After being stabilized at Stony Brook, Dustin was moved to an acute care nursing facility at St. Johnland Nursing Center in Smithtown. At St. Johnland, Dustin remained in a coma, and was rushed back to Stony Brook when he developed dangerously high fevers. Once again, when Dustin was stabilized and able to be moved, he was accepted into Helen Hayes Hospital facility where he receivedattention and care that resulted in his finally emerging from his coma. Dustin was cared for at Helen Hayes until 6/28/07,when hisstay ended too soon due to our medical system rule. We were forced to moveDustin to Park Terrace in Rego Park, NY. This was themost disastrous decision we had made, (even worse than the move to St. Johnland). Dustin remained at Park Terrace for a mere 6 hours and was sent to Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital, at 2am, due to the aides showering him without the proper precautions to cover his tracheotomy. This was when the real roller coaster ride began for all of us. We transferred Dustin to St. Catherine’s Hospital where Dustin’s primary care physician and Uncle could take care of him. It took all of our energy and patience to finally transfer Dustin to a new facility in the Hamptons. It looked good on paper but unfortunately was not properly staffed and Dustin was transferred back to St. Catherine’s. Finally on July 19th, Dustin was transferred to yet another “Skilled Nursing Facility” masquerading as a Rehab Center, where he stayed for just about 7 months. The facility had little to no experience dealing with a TBI survivor. On 3/8/2008, Dustin came home. Thanks to the efforts of several wonderful people the Manwiller house was transformed into a handicap friendly home. A new bathroom, bedroom, deck and ramp were constructed. Since Dustin’s return home he has worked very hard to regain the use of his arms and legs. He goes to New Beginnings 4 days a week receiving physical, occupational and speech therapy and is determined to get his life back. The Manwiller family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to Dustin’scontinued road torecovery. Dustin's hope is one day to have a better qualityof life,whichcould not happen without the kindness of others.http://www.dustinshope.org/