UA Freshman’s GoFundMe Nears Goal Amid Medical Crisis
The GoFundMe goal of $250,000 to assist the family of a University of Alabama student who had a serious fall over the holidays has almost been reached.
As of Tuesday morning $247,348 has been raised from 2,700 donations for Michael Polaski, a freshman from New Jersey. Indications are much more will be needed.
Polaski, his parents and little brother were in the Dominican Republic when, on December 28th, the youth suffered a serious fall that left him with a severe head injury. He underwent emergency surgery at a hospital in the Dominican Republic to relieve swelling on his brain and save his life. Once stabilized he was flown by a medical flight to a hospital in Miami where he remains in critical condition.
Once in Miami, doctors placed the Sigma Pi fraternity member in a medically induced coma with severe injuries, including skull fractures, a fractured pelvis and lower back vertebrate fractures.
A positive update mentioned that sedation was being reduced, and motor responses were observed in both arms and legs upon stimulation, which was considered a good early sign. Michael opened his mouth and squeezed his mother's hand in responses to requests.
Michael's father, Mike Polaski, is the retired Robbinsville Township, NJ police chief. The department there has joined a number of other organizations requesting public assistance with rapidly mounting medical bills.
The GoFundMe account describes Polaski as a "hardworking, respectful young man with a deep passion for gymnastics." Family friends John Clark and Thomas Egan began the GoFundMe account in the wake of the Dominican Republic hospital already bill the Polaski family $75,000 for initial treatment plus the cost of the air ambulance and current hospital expenses in Miami.
More From Tuscaloosa Thread
