Special Needs Trust for the Benefit of Dustin Manwiller




	Flat Dustin’s Travels

	Click here to view pictures from the fundraiser 2011
	Dustin's Story
	Dustin Manwiller graduated from Commack High School in 2001. He was accepted at the NY Institute of Technology as a computer graphics major in September of the same year. During his junior year at NY Tech, Dustin decided to change his major and his school. He enrolled at SUNY Stony Brook as a biology/enviornmental studies student. However, Dustin soon realized that overcrowded lecture halls and environmental science at Stony Brook were not for him. He left Stony Brook and took time off to reconsider his future. After spending some time "surfing" the net, he realized that he wanted to follow the path of his Grandfather and train to become a chef. In 2006 Dustin enrolled at the Culinary Academy, and began to prepare to one day open his own sports bar, "a bar that would serve really good food". On a rainy Thanksgiving eve,2006, Dustin's future plans changed forever. As a result of a horrific car accident, Dustin suffered a traumatic brain injury(TBI). Dustin was rushed unconscious to Stony Brook University Hospital where he received immediate medical care for serious fractures to his upper and lower body, collapsed lungs, and head injuries leaving him in a coma. The prognosis that we received from the doctor who evaluated Dustin was that he would remain in a non-responsive vegetative state. The doctor informed us that we would have to make a decision to either keep Dustin alive in his present condition or to take him off life support. We wanted Dustin to live. After being stabilized at Stony Brook, Dustin was moved to an acute care nursing facility at St. Johnland Nursing Center in Smithtown. At St. Johnland, Dustin remained in a coma, and was rushed back to Stony Brook when he developed dangerously high fevers. Once again, when Dustin was stabilized and able to be moved, he was accepted into Helen Hayes Hospital facility where he received attention and care that resulted in his finally emerging from his coma. Dustin was cared for at Helen Hayes until 6/28/07, with mostly ups and a few downs. The stay ended too soon due to our medical system and our hand was forced, we moved Dustin to Park Terrace in Rego Park, NY. The most disastrous decision we made, (worse than the move to St. Johnland). Anyway Dustin remained at Park Terrace for a mere 6 hours and was sent to Long Island Jewish Forest Hills at 2am, due to showering him without the proper precautions to cover his trach. This was when the real roller coaster ride began. We transferred to St. Catherine’s Hospital where Dustin’s primary care physician and Uncle could take care of him. It took all of our energy and patience to finally transfer Dustin to a new facility in the Hamptons. It looked good on paper but unfortunately was not properly staffed and Dustin was transferred back to St. Catherine’s. Finally July 19^th Dustin was transferred to yet another “Skilled Nursing Facility” masquerading as a Rehab Center where he stayed for just about 7 months. The facility had little to no experience dealing with a TBI survivor. On 3/8/2008 Dustin came home. Thanks to the efforts of several wonderful people the Manwiller house was transformed into a handicap friendly home. A new bathroom, bedroom, deck and ramp were constructed. Since Dustin’s return home he has worked very hard to regain the use of his arms and legs. Even though he qualifies for only a half hour of therapy a day he is making progress. With the support of so many generous wonderful people we plan on getting him into a more aggressive rehab program. The Manwiller family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to Dustin’s miraculous recovery. Our son will some day have a quality to his life again that could not have happened without the kindness of others. For this he will be eternally grateful….. Click on Kathie's Newsletter for more details.
	Dustin had a big day on 8/6/10. He met, thanks to his sister Lis, Victoria Stilwell from the show “It’s Me or The Dog”. She was wonderful.

	Dustin had another major event on 8/26/10 thanks to the NY Mets Organization. GO METS!!!!!!

	Some of Dustin's Therapy Dream Team.
	PT

	OT

	Speech

	Massage

Dustin's Story