Helping Bryan Stow

Here is a tough one.  I don't generally write about private individuals unless they have been in the news and have generally been covered by the media.  Bryan Stow certainly has been in the news, but this is one of those situations where part of me says to allow him and his family privacy.  Still his situation is heartbreaking and I hope it never happens to anyone else.

 

Bryan, a huge San Francisco Giants fan, was in Los Angeles to see his team play the LA Dodgers.  The night ended in tragedy when Bryan was severely beaten and came close to death.  The accused attackers are now on trial, but Bryan Stow's life will never be the same and the same thing is true for his family.

 

One good thing that has come out of this is an increased awareness of security at baseball stadiums and other large gatherings.  Hopefully this sort of violence can be prevented in the future.  For Bryan though, and his family, the continuing problems are huge.  Bryan's overall health and his relationship to the rest of his family, will never be the same. The bills for his care and treatment are enormous.

 

There have been fundraisers.  Individuals have made donations (including Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum who gave $25,000), but the cost of care has still been out of reach and his insurance only has covered part of the overall expense.  You will be reading in the next few days about Bryan coming home because they cannot afford the cost of a rehab or skilled nursing facility.  He will likely need medical care for the rest of his life.  A couple of pending lawsuits might help, but there is no guarantee. 

 

So why am I writing about this?  I am outraged that two men can brutally beat the father of two small children and that those children might never know their father in the way they should and that that father (Bryan) will need continued care, costing millions of dollars that could have been spent for family vacations and visits to the zoo or an amusement park or more baseball games.  I am outraged that the Stow family has to endure all of this, and I invite you to help. 

 

The Stow family has set up a website where you can get updates and where you can also make donations.  Click HERE to see several ways you can donate.  Find out more at http://www.support4bryanstow.com or click HERE to join their facebook page.