In the last four years Mak Yost went from being a high achieving International Baccalaureate high school senior, elite lacrosse player and all-around sport enthusiast, bound for UGA, to suddenly collapsing and suffering multiple strokes due to a rare, congenital brain disease (Brain AVM) just days after his senior prom. Mak survived emergency brain surgery but was immediately left with the inability to breathe on his own, eat, talk, walk or move any of his limbs voluntarily. His parents were even told that should he wake up from the brain surgery, he may never speak again and he may be completely paralyzed on his right side. Since emerging from his coma, he has been working hard to regain all that he has lost. Today, while Mak is still learning to talk and walk again, he is finding joy in activities that have been adapted to fit his new normal, like adaptive golf with the Georgia Adaptive Golf Association and wheelchair racing with the Kyle Pease Foundation. It is unfortunate that once a patient turns 21, insurance does not view rehabilitative therapy as necessary. Thus, 90% of what Mak does to stay healthy and to re-gain functionality must be paid for out of pocket. Mak's time at Beyond Therapy at the Shepherd Center gives him the best chances of physical recovery, but financial assistance is needed in order for him to continue this valuable therapy. A recumbent elliptical cross trainer is another tool that would benefit Mak greatly as the cross-lateral activity would build a bridge between both sides of his brain which is essential for physical coordination and speech. Mak is honored that the Kyle Pease Foundation has volunteered to help raise funds for his recovery. Any amount of support for Mak is greatly appreciated and he is looking forward to when he can pay it forward and fundraise for others again.
