Boy hurt by foul ball to be released soon

By Don Shilling

The boy can move his arms and legs but can’t pick up objects yet.

WARREN — Luke Holko, the 4-year-old boy injured by a foul ball at a Mahoning Valley Scrappers game Sept. 2, is expected to come home from the hospital this week.

His father, Chad Holko of Greene Township, delivered the good news to a crowd of more than 100 who attended a fundraiser for the family Sunday at the Mocha House in Warren.

“This is overwhelming — the amount of support we’ve had,” Holko said.

He added, however, that his son has a long recovery ahead of him, and some permanent brain damage is expected.

Luke was severely injured when a ball hit him in the back of the head and fractured his skull as he sat in his dad’s lap.

Now, he is blinking his eyes to signal “yes” and shaking his head to indicate “no.” He can hold his head up for about a minute. He is able to move his arms and legs, but he has no fine-motor control and cannot pick up objects.

His condition, however, continues to improve, and doctors have told the family that the next six months are critical for him to regain his lost abilities.

“As for where he’ll be in six months, we’re hoping to get as close to normal as possible,” Holko said.

Luke is in Akron Children’s Hospital, and his parents both have taken leave from work so they can be with him daily.

Once he is sent home, Luke will return to the hospital each day for therapy. His father said he will start out with three hours of therapy each day, but doctors hope to extend it to five hours. The boy will have a room in the hospital to rest between therapy sessions.

A group of Warren police officers organized the fundraiser Sunday. The officers formed a band called the One Forty Ones to raise money for another cause recently and decided to put their act together again to help the Holkos pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance.

Some of those in attendance knew the family or members of the band. Some just came because they cared.

Donna Beavers of Warren said she has been following Luke’s story in the news and wanted to help out.

“I came for the little guy,” she said.

Also part of the evening were guitarist and singer Joe Fritz of Warren and magician John Steven Bloom of Liberty.

Those attending made donations, and the restaurant donated 10 percent of the proceeds to the family.

Donations also can be made to the Luke Holko Fund at Cortland Bank locations.

At the end of an interview, Chad Holko said he wanted to make sure one thing was in the story: “Tell everyone I said thanks.”

shilling@vindy.com