Slow, emotional recovery for victims of May 27, 2009 collision

Updates of the frustratingly slow recoveries of two accident victims – the signs of hope within each struggle — are being shared with friends in online postings. The diary-like blog updates let people close to Brad Dreyer and Michael Kelley keep tabs on their progress without overwhelming members of the family.

The two, Dreyer riding a skateboard and Kelley on a motorcycle, were critically injured in a West Spain Street collision on May 27, 2009.

The 21-year-old Dreyer was taken to Santa Rosa Hospital. He underwent intensive care and ultimately brain surgery on June 29. Once stabilized, he was transferred to the Kentfield Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospital on July 7.
The doctors there are ready to take it to the next level, said the family’s latest online journal entry, from Tuesday. “We are hoping and praying that this treatment will eventually allow Brad to recover his brain function. Hopefully, it will start a period of significant recovery.  We would naturally prefer it sooner than later, but will take it whenever it comes.”

Signs of progress, however heartening, are relative. Dreyer’s first week in Kentfield, “(Brad) received physical, occupational and speech pathology assessments. He was put upright in a wheelchair a few times and was put on his feet once or twice,” the blog reported. “Baby steps, indeed.”

Kelley, 56, is back at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Flown there by air ambulance after the accident, he was temporarily transferred to University of California, San Francisco for separate heart and neck surgeries. Both were successful, according to a blog made available Wednesday. The neck surgery has left him with a C6 spinal condition, defined as a case in which in voluntary movement and sensation in all four limbs are compromised.

He is in critical, but stable condition at Memorial. He is responding well to the on-going therapy of his right arm, the online report said, and shows progress in his upper body movements.  He has one more major operation on his right leg, which is scheduled for next week.

“Michael is regaining consciousness; in his own way and in his own time,” it states. “He emotionally reacts to his family and close friends with big smiles and eye contact and body movements, and is aware of his surroundings. He has mouthed many words, and most days, he is alert and responsive.”

Some 11 weeks after the accident, two circles of families and friends continue to hope and pray. For the Dreyers, “This experience has been nothing if not an exercise in patience and faith.” According to a recent posting, “We are so thankful that you are walking beside us down this path and continue to be touched by all the concern and kindness we are receiving.”