April 8 at 10:00

Today I would like to tell you about a couple we have met here at Madonna. Their complete story is at caringbridge.org then brantburt (website) and then Journal. Their entry of Mar 25 is below.

Kellie is 33 (Timothy's age) her husband Brant is 35. He is the one with the brain injury through no fault of his own. They have 3 children, the oldest is in kindergarten. They live in Lee's Summit. My heart goes out to them. I hope some of you reading this about Timothy will feel compelled to help with her efforts to contact legislative members.



Wednesday, March 25, 2009 12:25 AM, CDT

Through this experience with B.B. and dealing with brain injury, I have learned alot. First, that Missouri does not take care of it's residents. At least not completely.

In 2005, Governor Blunt cut all funding for gov. assistance for outpatient rehabilitation benefits. They will take mercy on you if you are under the age of 22, blind or pregnant. Otherwise, if you are in need of rehab benefits due to a serious injury, such as brain injuries, than you are a lost cause and deserve to be in a nursing home.

Pretty horrible huh? Well, I just learned yesterday that there is a bill trying to be passed to override this. It is senate bill 77 and is titled, Inclusion of Comprehensive Day Rehabilitation Services in Mo HealthNet. This is exciting!!!

Most people that are dealing with brain injuries are having to turn to Medicaid to help with services that their insurance company will not pay for. Such as medical equipment, medications and extended care in an inpatient facility.

The reason this is so important, is because there is not an insurance plan out there that will provide rehab benefits for a lengthy amount of time. What we have learned is that the brain heals slowly and a month or two isn't enough. A lot of insurance companies, will pay for inpatient/out patient rehab -for a limited amount of time. Then what happens when they are finished with inpatient rehab? According to Matt Blunt they should either be completely functional @ that point or live in a nursing home.

I do not believe that's right. Those people deserve a chance to continue their rehab!! If insurance is not paying for the outpatient rehab, than what are you to do? Pay out of pocket? That is not possible for the average person. Especially, if they do not have an income, due to their injury. This saddens me greatly.

Right now, we do have an opportunity for our voices to be heard.You can contact your local legislator asking them to support this bill. This bill is sponsored by Senator Stouffer and is SB77/HB530. You can go to www.moga.mo.gov and click on legislator look-up. Based on your zipcode, you can find the name and contact information for your state representative and senator. You may also call 573-751-3824, which is the senate communications line.

The "Talking Points" for letters when contacting state reps and senators regarding bill SB 77, are as follows.

1) Following discharge from a hospital, most adults have no options to continue their rehabilitation.

2) These services can help individuals to participate in their communities and return to work.

3) These services bridge people with brain injuries to other services such as vocational, technical, educational, and supported employment.

4) This rehabilitation keeps people out of nursing homes or institutions which cost taxpayers more money (approx. savings of $67,242 per person per year)

5) Many people are able to return to work and become a taxpayer upon completion of rehab.


It is very important to realize, this could be any one of us!!! This could be you, your spouse, your parent, best friend, sibling etc...

I'm sure you would want the best for their future. By supporting this bill, it can provide comfort for your future, should some chance this situation would be yours.

Not only could this benefit my husband, but so many other families that are faced with these challenges. I want to stand up and shout "BRAIN INJURED PEOPLE ARE NOT A LOST CAUSE!"

As you can see, I am very passionate about this issue. Your voice DOES matter. Please contact our legislators to show your support. You will be doing a wonderful thing for B.B. and so many other families!! It gives people opportunities to reclaim their lives. At least, let them have that chance! Please, Please, Please help me support this cause!!!

Love, Kellie

April 7 at 2:30

We have learned several things today. The external fixator on Tim's leg will probably be removed soon. It will be splinted and he will be given antibiotics to get rid of any infections. Then he will have to have a rod put in to straighten. This is all good. The fixator wasn't doing the job properly. The Halo will stay in place for now. They are thinking Timothy has a little nerve damage in the right arm but not a lot. They will be working with it more aggressively now that they are sure there are no broken bones.

This is a fast-paced hospital. They rapidly assess the problems and start fixing them quickly.

Timothy's attitude and behavior with all of the doctors, nurses, therapists, etc. is always very polite, courteous, and patient. I am so proud of him right now. It has got to be aggravating and confusing that different ones ask the same questions over and over and poke, prod, and bend continually.

Zack and Alethia were here today to hear and interpret the results of the scans and x-rays. They are always a welcome support team.

Thanks, Mike and Chris for your visit last night. He seemed glad to see you, and wasn't too emotional.

April 6 at 4:30 p.m.

I wrote so much on Saturday that I thought everyone would enjoy a break.

I am back in Lincoln after a brief trip home. Timothy is very alert today and is enjoying his company--Jessica, Brandi and Courtney Jean. He is not nearly as emotional today as over the weekend. He is beginning to understand that the external fixator on his leg and the Halo are not permanent. I think he must have been pretty frigtened when he couldn't voice his concerns. Timothy thought he would being living here from now on. Now that he can voice his fears, we can reassure him.

Everyone here is very pleased with his rapid progress.

April 4 at 8:30 a.m.

Just a quick note. Timothy is going through a very emotional time right now. It might be best if friends remembered him with a card rather than a visit for awhile. Timothy has requested no visitors at this time. Hopefully he will be ready for visitors again soon.

8:30 p.m.

The following note was written by Timothy's dad: To Jean, Jane, Amanda & April. I am so sorry I ruined your day. It's sometimes hard for me to keep things together. But please know your effort was truly appreciated. It won't be long before this phase is over, and you all will be able to laugh and talk of better times with Timothy.

To all who have helped us, from our hometown and Timothy's railroad family--Thank you is not enough, but it is all I can say. Tim Dannar (Dad)


Obviously,it has been quite a day. Timothy was delighted to see his Grandmother Dannar and Aunt Susie, but was reluctant to have other guests. He is beginning to realize where he is and the condition he is in. He is uncomfortable and often in pain. He would rather his friends not see him like this.

With that said. I want everyone to know that he is improving daily. The fact that he can voice his wishes is wonderful. He had a real meal for the first time today. He was able to visit with Zach and Jeremy pretty much like old times. We are just so thankful that we are getting our old Timothy back.

April 3 at 6:00 p.m.

The ocuupational therapist did some more eye testing today. We were concerned that he was having double vision. However, that may not be so. She believes now that he has some eye damage that is causing his left eye to see grey, blurry images. This will probably repair on its own. More testing will be done next week by a more qualified person.

Tests were completed on Timothy's neck, both knees and shoulder. The alignment on the broken tibia is of concern and will be x-rayed further. There might be some nerve damage around the shoulder.

Timothy was given chocolate pudding, a fig newton and juice today. All were swallowed without a problem. He will start a semi-normal diet tomorrow. Everyting will be ground or chopped for awhile.

We can understand almost everything he says now. His voice is still pretty whispery. First words we could understand were, "Take me home." He is developing an attitude part of the time. He loves his ice chips. About an hour ago he said to me, "Ice chips" and then "Right now!" He is also becoming very emotional at times expecially when we mention family and friends, and then other times seemingly for no reason.

He has a lot of pain, and they are trying to reach a balance where he is comfortable but not so sedated that he can't work with his therapists.

We got a care package from Tricia. We will soon learn a lot about New Mexico. Also, had a visit from another railroad friend. Thanks, David for stopping by.

The weekend will be busy--Jeremy, Zach, their girl friends, Aunt Susie, and Grandma Dannar all plan to visit.

April 2 at 4:30 p.m.

This has been another outstanding day. Timothy is hooked up to a machine that monitors his oxygen intake. All other tubes, lines, picks, etc. have been removed. He has a smaller trach with a cap so he is beginning to talk enough that we are beginning to hear and understand. He has been sitting up in a wheelchair all day until just 30 min. ago. We took him outdoors for a walk in his wheelchair. He played shape/color bingo perfectly, responded correctly to simple math problems, responded correctly to where he is and where he lives. He identified his brothers and grandmothers correctly from pictures.

Dad Tim says, "He has come a long way today."

X-rays are ordered for his legs and right arm to see how they are doing.

April 1 at 2:30

We are getiing acquainted with Timothy's care givers. Everything is going very well. Timothy has been up sitting in a wheel chair for 4 hours. All kinds of therapists have worked with him today so they can come up with goals which they will relay to us tomorrow. He has been very co-operative and seems to know everyone is trying to help him get better. The OT took him for a short tour of the building, past an aquarium, and around his part of the facility. She had him work at a machine that he had to turn the wheel using his good left hand. She had him wash his face and brush his teeth. He has tried to mouth words. Today or early tomorrow they will put in a smaller trach and cap it so he should be able to talk some.

Thanks, Bruce, Dana and Hayden for the flowers. They are lovely. I posted all cards and pictures on the wall.

At Madonna' website (www.Madonna.org) people can send messages (Madonna Mail icon)which will be printed out and delivered to Timothy. Messages must include patient's first and last name.