Luncheon to help pay boy's medical bills

By TIM YOVICH
Vindicator Trumbull Staff
CORTLAND -- Eight-year-old Kaleb Owens remains in a coma after falling from a hay wagon Oct. 15, and his medical bills have already surpassed $1 million.
"The whole community has pulled together to help my family out," Kaleb's mother, Amy Stockton, said Wednesday.
To help pay for the medical expenses, businesses and service groups will hold a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Cortland Community Church on Grove Street. There will be a Chinese auction and other activities.
Stockton said there were too many children on the wagon, causing Kaleb to roll off; the wheel ran over his head. The Cortland Elementary pupil suffered severe brain damage with a blood clot and bruised brain stem.
"He'll more than likely never wake up," his mother said. "But I'm putting my faith in God."
Kaleb is in Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic, the third hospital where he has received treatment.
Stockton said Kaleb is taking medication to help him wake up. He has been on the medication for 11/12 weeks, and if he doesn't regain consciousness after four weeks, he most likely won't.
'Small window'
Doctors told the family on Thanksgiving Day that there is a "small window" for Kaleb to regain consciousness, "but it's highly unlikely he'll wake up."
In that event, Stockton said, she and her husband, Matt Stockton, will bring Kaleb home to care for him.
Kaleb's father, Kevin Owens of Boardman, is helping to care for his son at the hospital. The Stocktons have two children, 1-year-old Gracey OK and 21/2-year-old Blake.
Although insurance is paying about 80 percent of the medical costs, the situation has caused a financial strain on the family.
Mrs. Stockton said that her husband has had to quit one of his two automotive jobs to take care of the two younger children so she can spendspent time at the hospital.
She tries to visit Kaleb daily and stay over every other night.
Adding to the financial problems, the Stockton's bought a two-story house on Orchard Lane in June. Because of Kaleb's medical condition, they will have to build an addition onto their home or move to a ranch-style house.
"I'm doing the best I can," Mrs. Stockton said. "You have to stay strong for your child."
An account has been established at Cortland Bank for those who want to help the family.
Another event
There will also be a fund-raiser to help the families of three children, including Kaleb, at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at Packard Music Hall. Each ticket is $5. The show is being presented by 14 area dance studios.
The fund-raiser will also help with the expenses of Annie Lee of Howland, a 12-year-old who was left a quadriplegic after a hit-skip accident in Niles, and Joseph Caruso, 9, of Mineral Ridge, who has cancer.
Those who want to keep track of Kaleb's condition can log onto www.caringbridge.org. Go to "visit" and type in his name -- one word, all lower case.
yovich@vindy.com