- Kelle Mortensen, 53, said her son’s brain bleed had stopped as of Monday
- He will require significant dental work and physical and occupational therapy
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MILF Manor star Joey Burford’s mother revealed over the weekend that he had been severely injured in a traumatic scooter crash.
In a GoFundMe post from Saturday, Joey’s mother and MILF Manor costar Kelle Mortensen, 53, shared that he would require ‘multiple facial reconstruction surgeries’ due to the devastating injuries to his face.
She included several photos that showed Joey apparently shortly after his crash, with his once-chiseled face now severely swollen, bruised and covered in fresh blood.
Both blackened eyes appeared to be swollen shut, and he had a breathing tube in.
‘I’m reaching out to you today with a heavy heart to share that my son, Joey, has recently been involved in a serious scooter accident,’ Kelle wrote. ‘This tragic event has resulted in significant complications that will require him to undergo multiple facial reconstruction surgeries.
‘Joey is facing a long and challenging road to recovery, and as we navigate this journey, we are confronted with mounting medical bills and the uncertainty of when he will be able to return to work,’ she continued. ‘Your support would mean the world to us during this difficult time.’
In an update posted on Sunday, Joey’s mother announced that he had been in surgery for three hours as surgeons worked to correct the fractured bones in his face.
Kelle added that the family was ‘lucky’ that Joey had survived, adding that it was a ‘total miracle that he didn’t break his neck or back.’
She offered a positive update on Monday when she shared that her son could now breathe on his own, and she wrote that the update came ‘just minutes after his breathing tube was removed.’
The most serious condition was apparently bleeding in Joey’s brain, but Kelle said it had since stopped bleeding.
The next step in his treatment would be a swallow test to determine if he was well enough to leave the ICU. If he passed the test, she wrote that he could be moved to a floor for less severe cases and then possibly discharged by Wednesday or Thursday of this week.
However, his long road to recovery would then include ‘additional facial surgeries,’ and Joey would also require ‘extensive dental work’ to repair the traumatic effects of the crash.
Kelle also wrote that he would be exclusively on a ‘liquid diet’ for at least six weeks due to ‘plates and screws in his face.’
In addition to the surgeries and procedures Joey will have to undergo in the upcoming weeks and months, he will also need ‘both physical and occupational therapy to regain his strength and independence,’ his mother shared.
As of Monday night, Joey’s GoFundMe had received $33,362 of its $50,000 goal, with 339 donations to date.
His mother stated that the funds would help with his ‘mounting medical bills’ and would cover his ‘medical expenses, surgeries and monthly bills while he focuses on healing.’
Kelle also gave thanks to those who donated in a short clip posted to her Instagram Stories on Monday.
‘This has definitely been the hardest two days of my life. I would not wish this upon anybody. It’s a complete miracle he’s alive. I can’t even believe it,’ she gushed. ‘Thank you Jesus for saving my baby.’
And in a particularly reassuring update, she posted a short video of Joey speaking from his hospital bed.
Although his speech was slowed and slurred from his injuries, he was completely intelligible as he offered thanks to those who donated and kept him in their thoughts.
‘Thank you to everyone who’s praying and donating. I appreciate you guys more than you even know,’ he said in a hoarse voice.
