About Michael

Michael Chin is a 15-year-old native of Chicago, Illinois with lots of energy.  He is caring, loving, and kind young man who always had time for family.

Michael graduated from St. Jerome Grammar School and was attending De LaSalle High School as a sophomore. At De LaSalle, Michael is an honor roll student.

 

 

 

 

Michael is very charming, humorous and athletic. 
He hung out at McGuane Park and played with friends.  His friends have developed a video.

 

An animal lover, he has several pets including; a Golden Retriever, Calico cat, guinea pig, snake, and some fish.  Michael dreamed of joining the football team while at De La Salle and felt he could make it. The football coach at De La Salle invited Michael to try out for the football team and he was looking forward to that opportunity.

 

 

 

 

This all changed on July 17, 2007.Michael was injured while diving into a swimming pool.  He was rushed to the pediatric emergency room at the University Of Chicago Hospitals where he was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury at C4-C5 level. Michael’s only hope for recovery was immediate emergency surgery to relieve the pressure on his spinal column.

 

 

 

 

Michael’s parents and Michael consented to the surgery, which lasted 6 hours.  The surgeon relieved the pressure on the spinal cord by realigning the spinal column.  Two metal plates were screwed into the spinal column for support. Although the surgery went well, Michael lost all feeling below his shoulders.

 

 

 

 

Michael is a quadriplegic.  His diaphragm muscle for breathing was injured so he was put on a respirator to help him breathe. Michael had 2 more surgeries while he was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  He needed a tracheotomy to help him breathe and a gastric tube so his body could have food to live on.  Michael has not eaten regularly for quite a while. He ended up staying in ICU for 1 month.

 

 

 

 

Michael was moved to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in August 2007.  Each day for Michael includes hours of occupational and physical therapy as well as keeping up with his schoolwork. Although every day is a struggle for Michael, there are signs that provide us with hope. He has regained some movement in his arms and is working now on regaining the function of his hands.

Michael’s positive attitude toward life continues. It is that attitude that allows him to put in the effort to achieve progress through this ordeal. Michael has never complained about his situation and always looks at the brighter side of life.

When talking about the path God has put him on Michael says,  “Forget the past. Look to the future because the past will hold you back and the future is now.” 

 

Michael plans to continue his education and eventually graduate from De La Salle.  After that his dream is to become a veterinarian.  Michael has always been a giving person and wants to take care of all the animals in need.

 

 

 

 

 

Michael enjoys animated movies and is intrigued by the imagination and creative skill it takes to make them. Those who know him find Michael’s imagination is enormous and even a brief encounter with Michael leaves an impression that lasts forever.