A Random Act of Violence Against a Guy Who Always Played by the Rules...
This is the kind of story that you hear about and think, “That’s the sort of thing that happens to other people”.
It could have happened to you, me, or one of your loved ones. But it happened to Mike Kistner.
Mike is your “typical” engineer… quiet, intelligent, quirky sense of humor, pleasant disposition, always played by the rules. He was in the Marines from 1967 to 1969, and was stationed in Da Nang during the Tet Offensive. He was on his church board. Mike donated plasma for newborns. He is that kind of guy.
On Monday, August 6, 2007, Mike was on his way to work at NUCOR, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he was the Chief Mechanical Engineer. It was 5:30 in the morning, and Mike was anxious to get started on a project at work. At a traffic light, he was approached by two men and a woman who asked for money. Mike politely declined and turned his red 97 Saturn down the road toward the plant. The three, driving a Ford Explorer with two prongs sticking out where the front bumper used to be, followed Mike.
They bumped his car, and Mike sped up, trying to reach NUCOR property. They chased him at speeds up to 80 MPH, ramming the Saturn, and forcing it off the road. Mike's car spun off one tree and landed in two other trees, suspended above a ditch. He was wearing his seatbelt, but the tremendous force of the collision crushed the right side of the car and left Mike with life-threatening injuries.
His attackers climbed up into Mike’s car and stole his wallet, leaving him for dead. They needed the money to buy more crack. His cell phone was found 60 yards from the crash site.
When the paramedics arrived, it took them an hour and a half to cut him from the car. His injuries included:
 • Traumatic brain injury
• Fractured right arm
• Fractured right femur
• Fractured right tibia
• Fractured right fibula
• Shattered left wrist
• Shattered right ankle
• Broken ribs
• Broken nose
• Multiple facial breaks
His condition was so marginal that the surgeons had to wait until Thursday night for him to stabilize before they could operate. They used rods to hold his right arm and right femur together; plates and screws for his lower right leg and ankle; and still more plates and screws to piece together the 8 flakes of bone that used to be his left wrist.
The truth is, had it not been for excellent medical attention, Mike would not be alive today. In fact, the first police investigators were from the Tuscaloosa County Homicide Unit.
He required 8 pints of blood. In a show of respect and support for their friend and colleague, his fellow NUCOR workers lined up on Tuesday and Wednesday, and together they donated over 70 pints of blood.
Mike is recovering very slowly. As horrible as the other injuries are, the brain injury is the worst. His loving wife Donna says that he seems to show some cognitive abilities, but the truth is that Mike will never fully recover, and his family will have to care for his every need.
Before the attack, Mike swam 20 laps a day, 5 days a week. He was an avid snow skier.
Now he has lost the use of his right arm and his right eye.
When he was in the hospital, he had 3 hours of Physical Therapy every day.
Now the insurance company has stopped paying for any Physical Therapy.
He is on a tracheotomy tube that delivers oxygen. Donna has to suction the secretions from his airways daily. He was in a coma for over 2 months. Now he is minimally aware of his surroundings, but unable to move or communicate with his family. He has fought off at least 5 infections, including pneumonia.
The costs of providing for Mike’s needs at home continue to mount:
· He will require an $8000 wheelchair, of which the Kistner’s will have to pay $1600.
· A special air mattress bed costs $240 per month.
· OTC medicines cost $300 per month.
A
A used van that is wheelchair accessible will cost approximately $30,000. The individual charged with the attack has no insurance.
If this had happened to you or your spouse, wouldn’t you want concerned people to help if they could? Can YOU help? WILL you help?
Please donate if you can. The Kistner’s church, St. Matthias Episcopal Church is collecting donations to assist in Mike’s recovery. Reverend Frank Roth has graciously agreed to administer 100% of all donations. Donations are probably tax-deductible, but please check with your tax advisor if that is the deciding factor in donating.
Please help Mike. Mike is the kind of guy who would help you.
You can go to the DONATIONS page to make an on-line donation with your credit card. If you prefer to send a check, please write "Mike Kistner" in the memo line, make it payable to St. Matthias Episcopal Church, and send it to:
Friends of Mike Kistner
C/O St. Matthias Episcopal Church
2310 Skyland Blvd East
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
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The Kistners also welcome your prayers.
Special thanks to Saint Matthias Episcopal Church for donating a generator that will keep the oxygen flowing if the power goes out. Also, to Mike's friends at NUCOR for helping Donna with the yardwork
St. Matthias Episcopal Church is not responsible for the content of this site, nor the views expressed herein.
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