Steamboat Pilot & Today

Hayden — A 26-year-old miner who was critically injured while working at Twentymile Mine June 6, has moved to Craig Rehabilitation Center in Engelwood and remains stable.
According to Kyle Webb's aunt, Kathleen Kelly, it is still too early to know what his long-term condition will be. His doctors and therapists are predicting that they will be able to determine his condition more accurately in another month, Kelly said.
"They are very cautious about what they tell us" Kelly said.
Doctors also predict that Webb may be moved out of the Craig Center in three months.
"It could be longer, and he will have to have continued care after he's out. How much, we're still not sure," Kelly said.
Kelly said Webb's three therapists speech, occupational and physical can't do much at this point. They monitor his oxygen but until they are more sure of his exact condition, not much can be done.
According to Kelly, Webb shows the classic stages of a person with traumatic brain injuries. He has both a diffused brain injury and a focal brain injury that impact both his motor and cognitive skills.
On a more positive note, Webb is showing signs that he is aware of his surroundings.
"He is showing signs of recognition. They are not consistent, but they are signs," Kelly said.
Just recently, when doctors deflated a balloon in his trachea to see if he could make a sound, he said "mom."
"We continue to be hopeful" said Kelly.
Webb was injured while clearing rocks from a chute at the mine. He fell 30 to 40 feet from a ladder and sustained serious head injuries.
Webb's family is hopeful, thanks to the signs and care Webb is receiving from the rehab center, but still the situation is hard.
Webb's mother is trying to gain custody of him.
Kelly says they are doing whatever they can to keep Webb's spirits up. His mother has an apartment across the street from the hospital so she can visit him every day. They also have taped all the cards he has received, as well as family snapshots, on the wall and ceiling of his room, so he can see them as he lays in bed.

To reach Joleen Fuller call 871-4229 or e-mail jfuller@amigo.net