Good article for tomorrow, :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :peace: :peace: :rocker: :rocker:
http://www.journalstandard.com/Coming home
Freeport woman has both her boys home after July 31 crash
Stefanie Weiss / The Journal-Standard
Sharon McCarthy and her son Mason, 4, get ready to go for a walk on Friday, Oct. 15. 2010. Mason returned home Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010, after a three month hospital stay following a July 31, 2010, car accident.
»
By Jane Lethlean
The Journal-Standard
Posted Oct 15, 2010 @ 07:36 PM
Freeport, Ill. —
For Sharon McCarthy, July 31 happened a long time ago. In the past three months, she has shuttled herself between Freeport, Rockford and Chicago to care for her two sons. Her oldest, Logan, 9, stayed with friends in Freeport as she tended to her youngest son, Mason, 4, who had been in the hospital since that fateful day in July when a car accident changed her family forever. The crash also killed her fiance, Tim Rodey.
Thursday was a homecoming for this family. Mason, who suffered a brain injury in the car accident, came home to be with his family for the first time. Sharon is happy, overwhelmed and at peace knowing her two sons are back under her roof.
“When I brought Mason into the home, he and Logan got onto the couch, hugged and kissed and just sat there forever,” Sharon said, holding back her tears. “It was such a touching moment.”
The road back to “normal” for this family will take time. Mason has months of physical, occupational and speech therapy ahead. He has balance issues and cognitive skill issues. Sharon said the doctors told her it may take a year for his brain to heal. Cognitive issues may remain — with a brain injury, there are no definitive answers.
“Right now, it is just day by day, but all I know is my boys are back together,” Sharon said. “In the beginning, I just hoped it would happen by Christmas — today I have both of their Halloween costumes ready.”
Mason Comes Home
Prior to Thursday, Sharon and Logan were counting the days to make their family unit whole. Before that could happen, Mason had to undergo one more surgery. Tuesday, doctors put back a portion of his skull that was removed to help reduce the swelling on his brain. Friday, Mason took a walk with his mother outside their home in Freeport. He does not like being in a wheelchair, but the chair is for his own good.
“Mason has balance issues and still cannot walk like he should,” Sharon said. “He is under constant supervision to make sure he does not hurt himself.”
While Sharon loves having her young son back at home, she is nervous. Her trips to Chicago are done, but the two to three days a week she goes to Rockford for therapy will begin in another week. She does not have a car. She will have to rely on family and friends to help her get the care her son will need.
“Sometimes I feel overwhelmed,” Sharon said. “Mason has already surpassed expectations — he is my miracle, but I know we have a long road ahead.”
Sharon holds back the tears as she speaks of her young son’s frustrations at not being able to do the things he used to do. It is hard for her to hear his cries — to see him struggle.
“This is our life,” she said.
Help on the Way
To help offset medical costs and other financial hardships, friends are planning a benefit from 1 to 8 p.m. today at Freeport Moose Lodge. The band “Crunchy Frogs” will play music from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. There will also be a silent auction, games for kids, and plenty of items raffled off to raise money for the McCarthy family.
John Wienk is one of the organizers. Wienk, who has become a friend of the family, went to see Mason after his return home. Wienk said, “It was neat to see Mason out and about and to be able to hear his voice.”
Freeport Moose Lodge is donating the site for the benefit. It will be held in the bingo room. Wienk said door prizes will be given. Barbecue sandwiches will be served and there is also a chance to try your hand at karaoke. People looking for NASCAR items will also find a Jeff Gordon coat. There will also be a Chicago Cubs plaque donated from the 1984 championship.
Sharon said she is looking forward to the benefit. She wants people to be able to see her son. She sees it as a celebration of what he has gone through, and also as a tribute to Tim. She is also humble about the need for financial help, but it’s something she needs to survive.
“This is for my boys,” she said.