Where we Started: Gavin's Journey from Austin to NYC
- Margo D.
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Gavin's Medical Event
On March 11th, 2026, Gavin was found unresponsive and admitted to Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas after suffering from seemingly random, prolonged seizures known as status epilepticus. He was put into a medically induced coma and remained in the Dell Seton Neurocritical ICU for 6 weeks before being transferred to The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Initial Diagnosis and Treatment - Dell Seton
Upon arrival at Dell Seton, Gavin underwent a series of tests including CT scans, MRIs, and a spinal tap. The cause and diagnosis were unclear, but he had appeared to suffer from a severe hypoglycemic event and his brain continued to seize even after extreme levels of medications. The medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize him, but the road to recovery was just beginning.
Gavin dealt with multiple obstacles throughout his hospitalization such as:
Thrombocytopenia - low platlet disorder
HFrEF - Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Fraction
Multiple cases of severe pneumonia
Central fevers - extreme body temperatures due to central nervous system damage
DRESS Syndrome - a life-threatening allergic reaction to medications
Hospital Delrium - confusion to what is day & night resulting in lack of sleep
With auto-immune disease NORSE on the table, Gavin also underwent various types of plasma treatments to improve his immune system:
Due to the exceptionally high doses of medication required to control Gavin's seizures and keep him sedated, his medical team knew they would eventually need to begin carefully reducing those medications. They gradually adjusted his medication regimen, successfully lowering or discontinuing several medications while monitoring seizure activity.
Once Gavin's condition was stable enough, the team began planning for his transfer to a specialized rehabilitation program in New York City.
Disorders of Consciousness Treatment- Mount Sinai
Gavin was initially transferred to the ICU at Mount Sinai Hospital as doctors ran additional tests and continued to adjust his medications. On May 12th, 2026, Gavin was admitted to Mount Sinai Morningside Rehabilitation Center to begin specialized treatment for disorders of consciousness, with the goal of helping him emerge from his coma.
His routine consisted of 3-5 hours of therapy a day to encourage controlled movements and begin regaining his strength. The first few weeks relied heavily on therapists to move his body and explore his senses, but eventually Gavin began regaining control and responding to instructions. Initially nonverbal, Gavin found ways to communicate with family and doctors to ensure everyone that he was in there and ready to work.
While one of the first gestures Gavin was able to make with his hands was a middle finger (a humorous but honest expression of his frustration), he quickly learned to sign "I love you" in American Sign Language (ASL). He began sharing this gesture with his family, friends, and every member of his care team. Since then, the "I love you" sign has become a powerful symbol of Gavin's journey, representing the love, resilience, and unity of everyone supporting him throughout his recovery.
On June 8th, 2026 Gavin was noted as officially emerged from his coma after a nearly perfect score on the JFK Coma Recovery Scale, and on June 11th, 2026 Gavin found his voice.
Rehabilitation
After spending 2 months in the ICU, Gavin was transferred to Mount Sinai Morningside to promote wakefulness and focus on rehabilitation. Here, he began intensive therapy aimed at regaining his physical and cognitive abilities.
Physical Therapy
When Gavin first started physical therapy, it was not with his own coordination or movements, but was initiated by the therapists. It involved bending his arms and legs, even when he was still in a coma, to promote mobility and prevent muscle tone (stiffness of muscles from prolonged demobilization).
These sessions were crucial in helping him regain mobility and work towards transitioning home.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy aimed to help Gavin perform daily activities. This included:
Practicing transfers
Managing personal hygiene
Learning to dress himself
These skills were essential for his return to everyday life.
Speech Therapy
Gavin also faced challenges with communication and swallowing. Speech therapy sessions have focused not only on helping him regain his ability to speak clearly and understand language, but also on improving his swallowing function so he can safely eat and drink by mouth.
Moving Forward
While we still do not have an official diagnosis or a clear explanation for what caused Gavin's condition, the progress he has made so far has been extraordinary. Many of the milestones he has reached have felt nothing short of miraculous, but anyone who knows Gavin isn't surprised by the determination, resilience, and hard work he brings to every single day.
He would not be where he is today without the unwavering love and support of his family, friends, extended support system, and the incredible medical teams who have cared for him throughout this journey. Although there is still a long road ahead, Gavin remains motivated to keep moving forward, taking on each new challenge with strength, optimism, and the determination to continue making meaningful progress every day.
