Joshhy ... day 7

I've spent the last week with Joshhy. After he was released from the hospital and his parents went back home, he had to begin to face the realities of what had happened to him, and begin to deal with what was happening to him. Being shot and beaten and spending almost 4 days in the hospital is enough trauma for anyone. Getting out and realizing that his problems were just beginning has almost pushed him over the edge.

His car was stolen and eventually recovered, to be put in an impound lot on the other side of town. The police needed to use it for evidence and the lot decided that they wanted to be paid for storing it. $85/day plus towing. Not covered by insurance.

His insurance only covers emergency care and one follow-up visit for any doctors.
Each additional visit runs from $140 - $300 + supplies and meds.

He still has a nickel sized hole thru his arm (bone, nerves and tendons involved) and has not had the surgeries to repair that. In the mean time he is on anti-bacteria meds and pain pills. He is still in a lot of pain and can not use his right arm at all. Being a right hander it makes it very difficult to do even the basic things of life. While he tries to be positive he is constantly frustrated and easily gets depressed.

He is extremely thankful to the people who have helped him and specially Joey, who has stood beside him literally since Friday. Very few friends would be there as staunchly as he has. Between he and I, Joshhy was never left alone at the hospital nor here at home. One of us was always there every time he woke up screaming either from pain or the nightmares he lives with.

One of his previous employers had set up a web site for him which was removed by a jealous former friend of his and a friend of mine has done a very nice blog entry and is running a give-a-way to a donor ( scroll to the Feb 14th post). Thanks to both for their support and caring.