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DiBona said the doctor who performed the
surgery has offered little hope for Madden’s
recovery, but a New England Baptist neurologist who has been overseeing the coach’s rehabilitation hopes to eventually see him walking with a
cane. She added that he is currently getting
around on crutches he powers solely with his upper-body strength.
Madden’s situation has taken an understandable toll on his family, which also includes his eldest son Bryan, 14; daughter Savannah, 10; son Joshua, 9; daughter Annabelle, 4; and new addition Michaela, 2 months.
But it’s also brought out the best of what Milton has to offer. Since the accident, the family has been virtually bombarded with generosity from friends, colleagues, neighbors and complete strangers seeking to help the popular coach and his family.
“Mike is a wonderful, wonderful person, and so is my daughter,” said DiBona.
Teachers from the MHS preschool, Madden’s past and present soccer players, people from the neighborhood whom the family had never met, and a “Secret Santa” are among those who have buoyed the family’s spirits.
Some have cooked meals, something Heidi has been too depressed to do since her husband was paralyzed; others have dropped by with gift cards, cookies, fruit baskets and other Christmas presents; while still others have shoveled the driveway at the family’s Pleasant Street home, babysat, gone shopping and made a variety of other contributions.
“[Heidi] never knows who’s going to show up at the door, but somebody always does,” said DiBona.
Perhaps the most surprising visit came from the “Secret Santa,” who arrived at the family’s doorstep on the evening of Dec. 22 wearing a black ski mask and carrying five large sacks stuffed with gifts for the children.
Identifying himself only as Secret Santa, the gentleman – whose identity remains unknown at this writing – also presented a letter expressing his warm feelings for Madden and his family.
As an example of the quality of gifts presented by the masked stranger, DiBona noted that one of the sacks contained an “American Girl” doll, which can retail for as much as $100.
“I’ve never seen a town react [to a tragedy] like this. It just blows my mind,” she said.
“We’ve got to do something to
let people know how much we appreciate it.”
And that’s exactly the thought that prompted DiBona to pick up the telephone and call the Milton Times.
“Let the town know what kind
of people are here,” she said. “There’s always bad news in the paper. This is good news.”