A Southport woman has issued an urgent appeal to help bring her big brother home.
Stephanie Russell issued the plea after her brother Michael, a 30-year-old university professor, spent over 500 days in intensive care at Walton Neurological Hospital in Liverpool.
Michael, who lived in Banks in West Lancashire, was diagnosed with a brain tumour that has left him unable to breathe by himself, close his eyes or speak.
Stephanie was delighted that a campaign to raise £4,000 to help purchase a special eye-gaze system to help give Michael a way to speak has proved successful.
Now their parents have sold their house so they can buy a new home which they are busy adapting to suit Michael’s needs.
Roger, the much-loved caretaker of Our Lady Of Lourdes Primary School in Southport for 13 years, and his wife Margaret are desperate to raise funds so they can bring Michael to be back where he belongs.
Stephanie said: “Michael is the most intelligent person I have ever met. I have never seen anyone work so hard to something he loved – Psychology.
“This has had a devastating effect on Michael’s life, and he has been left not even able to breathe by himself.
Michael Walton, from Southport, celebrates his 30th birthday
“We have spent 503 days in the Walton Centre intensive care unit in Liverpool, and now at a local Intensive care unit closer to home.
“This has broken me and my family. We have watched as we were told there is nothing more we can do. We have watched his daily frustrations of not being able to communicate, and have a basic quality of life.
“We have been fundraising for a communication device for my brother, thankfully we are so humbled that this has now been achieved.
“However we are still working hard to raise money to bring Michael finally home where he belongs.”
Two years ago Michael, a psychology lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, visited his GP after noticing a buzzing sound in his ear for what he thought would be a routine appointment.
He was stunned when a scan to find out the cause of the tinnitus in his ears happened to pick up a 3cm hemangioblastoma, a rare tumour on his brain stem formed mainly of blood vessels.
The former pupil at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School and Christ The King High School in Birkdale in Southport was just weeks away from finishing his PHD at the time.
He was able to be present at sister Stephanie’s wedding in Southport just four weeks before his surgery.
He has since undergone six invasive brain operations, the last of which saw his family worried that he might not survive.
Stephanie said: “My parents, Roger and Margaret, have sold their house.
“They have moved to a more suitable property and are working so hard to adapt and renovate this for Michael. You can follow our journey on Instagram Michaels_journeytohome
Michael Walton, from Southport, with parents Roger and Margaret
“If anyone can spare a few pounds towards bringing Michael home it would be so gratefully appreciated. Everyone deserves a quality of life, even more when your life is so different to what it was before.
“I really would appreciate anyone who can share, donate or follow us on Instagram and come on this emotional journey with us.
“We understand times are so hard at the moment but as a community I really feel we can come together to help. As it comes up to Michael’s two year surgery anniversary it means more now than ever!
“Much Love, positivity and strength to everyone,
“Please remember ‘Time, people and family are precious, you never know what’s around the corner’.”
You can donate to Michael’s appeal at:
https://www.justgiving.com/…/michael-walton-will-speak-again
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