Brent returns home from the hospital April 31 and begins the road of recovery after his accident.
Marisa McNally
Feature Editor
Step by step. Little by little. The progression of a matter of feet, even with the support of his walker, is a huge achievement for senior Brent Sirignano after his car accident that hospitalized him on Feb. 6.
In his journey to recover from multiple fractures, a head injury which later resulted in a brain infection, two collapsed lungs and losing mobility and other capabilities, Brent remains in high spirits since his return home from the hospital.
Though Brent is limited in speech and mobility, he is able to talk and convey messages in a slow but deliberate manner.
“I knew I was with God and I told God that I wanted to go home and be with my mom and dad and brothers,” Brent shared with his parents several nights after returning home from the hospital.
After what his parents describe as a miracle and a blessing, Brent is on the road to recovery from his nearly fatal future and a lot of people have helped him along the way.
Although he will not finish his senior year as directed by his doctors, he may take summer classes to get his high school diploma. The district sent out an administrator yesterday to evaluate Brent. Depending on if the administrator thinks he’s capable, Brent will be allowed to enroll in summer classes or courses next year to complete his 15 unfinished credits.
“Time will tell where he is going to be,” said Ed Sirignano, Brent’s dad. “There’s no telling where he is going to be in two months or in six months. It’s all up in the air right now.”
Mr. Sirignano also explained that Brent has plans to go to college but mainly the family is focusing on finishing his high school requirements first. If he does decide to go, they are looking into him attending a college with a program for students with brain injuries.
The fundraisers to help pay for Brent’s medical expenses raised over 20,000 dollars. But it wasn’t just monetary support.
One group of 200 workers in Costa Mesa that prays in the morning asked for requests, and a woman said she saw a sticker that read ‘Pray for Brent’ and suggested to the group to pray for him
“Nobody knew who Brent was, but they all prayed for him anyway,” senior Garrett Daynes said.
Daynes also took a step further and spoke at Saddleback Church to share Brent’s situation to get the entire service to pray for Brent and his family.
Underneath the trauma and medical procedures, Brent is still a teenage boy. He watches Laker’s games and is able to spend some time with his friends, whether it be a visit or talking on the phone. He listens to his iPod and, with the help of his brother, Eddie, Brent is able to talk and text friends with his new cell phone..
“Despite everything that he has been through, he is in good spirits and dealing with his situation with a very positive attitude,” Mr.Sirignano said. “Brent will have a long and challenging road ahead, but he is very determined and getting better one day at a time.”
Brent will go to outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy at St. Judes in Brea approximately seven hours a day, three times a week for eight weeks.
During his sessions, Brent is working on his writing, walking and verbal skills as he works steadily toward his goal of regaining independence.
Mr. Sirignano is thankful for ET’s support.
“You all have played a role, no matter how big or small,” he said.
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