Father injures brain and ribs after crashing through floor of attic
KATY, Texas (KTRK) -- A Katy-area father is recovering from a severe head injury after an accidental fall inside his home.
Brian Lepori was in the attic of his one story Firethorne home on Nov. 26 attempting to hook up the wiring for a new TV he'd received as an early Christmas present.
His wife had just left to run errands and he was home alone with his three young children - all under age 10.
"They were here, saw daddy fall and they ran to the neighbors and got help," said Brian's wife, Maura. "They probably saved daddy's life, really," she said.
Maura remembers rushing home after getting word from neighbors.
"He was just screaming, 'help me, help me.' I remember my biggest feeling was I'm no comfort to him, and that was terrifying to me," she said.
Lepori was rushed by medical helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital's shock trauma unit.
He sustained five broken ribs on top of his traumatic brain injury.
It would be touch and go for days.
"From day to day, I remember them telling me it is just critical now for his life," said his wife.
Ever so slowly he got better.
A thumbs up.
A few words.
At first he didn't remember Maura, but now he does. Music therapy helped, and now he's walking and talking again.
His wife said the experts at TIRR Memorial Hermann are responsible for that. The prognosis is good but they know there's still much work toward recovery ahead.
Brian won't be home for Christmas but his family knows he will return.
Their greatest gift will be whenever he does.
Brian has insurance but the medical bills are mounting. Friends have started a GoFundMe page to help.
