By MIKE CAPUTO
A car struck Sullivan, a New York City police officer from East Meadow, on Dec. 21, 2006, as he crossed Sunrise Highway in Massapequa Park while he was off-duty. Since then, Sullivan has been in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation centers across Nassau County.
Sitting in a wheelchair next to family members at Cold Spring Hills Rehabilitation Center in Syosset last weekend, a smiling Sullivan, sporting a Giants cap, revealed his wish. "Getting back to work," said the 29-year-old, who was stationed in Brooklyn before the accident. "I like interacting with the public. It's fun."
To help speed up his recovery from serious injuries that initially impeded his ability to walk and speak clearly, Sullivan's family and friends established the Michael Hurry Home Fund. It was created to raise money to offset medical bills not covered by insurance, and to pay for the necessary equipment and care for Sullivan to continue his rehabilitation at home.
With the leadership of his parents, his five siblings and his girlfriend, Mary Gorry, the group has coordinated a Michael Hurry Home Fundraiser benefit event at Mul-cahy's in Wantagh on Jan. 31. According to Michael's sister Kerry, the event has already garnered support from police colleagues, friends and community members.
Michael, the third-oldest of six, graduated from St. Raphael's, a Catholic elementary school in East Meadow, and East Meadow High School. He grew to 6 feet 8 and played a number of sports, including football, basketball and lacrosse. In two years at Nassau Community College, he earned enough credits to enroll in the New York City Police Academy, from which he graduated in 2004.
He was moved around as a rookie until he settled into the 84th Precinct in Brooklyn. Before long he met Gorry at a local nightclub. Life was good for Sullivan, who continued to live in East Meadow.
Then his life changed.
Sullivan and Gorry attended a Christmas party with friends in Massapequa Park on Dec. 21, 2006. He left the party for what was intended to be a quick walk to a gas station convenience store. But he never made it back.
As he crossed Sunrise Highway to return to the party, Sullivan was struck by a car in the last lane, only a few feet from the sidewalk. The driver and her passenger, along with two witnesses, stayed with the severely injured Sullivan as he lay on the street. Two paramedics happened to be eating at a nearby restaurant, and quickly responded.
Both of Sullivan's legs were broken, and he had internal injuries that affected his brain, heart and eyesight. A previous medical problem had necessitated the removal of a kidney. After the surgery following the accident, Sullivan did not wake from anesthesia and fell into a coma for four months.
Some doctors were skeptical, advising the family to look into nursing homes. But the Sullivan family remained optimistic. "We could tell he knew we were there," Kerry said.
Even when he awoke from his coma, Michael was often on a ventilator in the intensive care unit of North Shore-LIJ Hospital in Manhasset. He was weak, could not walk and was unable to speak clearly. His heart rate hovered at a disturbingly high 160 to 170.
Even though he still had memories of his life - except for the accident - his family members had to help him piece them all together. Eddie Newman, his older brother, said Michael would often mention random portions of his life. "He remembered a movie we saw together when he was, like, 10 years old," Newman said. "It was 'Young Guns 2,' in 1990."
At one point, Sullivan weighed only 135 pounds, said his father, Joe Sullivan. But he slowly began regaining strength in his upper body. With the help of speech therapy, he improved his speaking skills.
As he settled into Cold Spring Hills last March, Sullivan began regaining his appetite and his athletic build, developing more strength.
Throughout his rehabilitation, colleagues and fellow members of the Police Benevolent Association pitched in, often driving him to and from appointments with specialists. And always standing by, with confidence, were Gorry and Michael's family - Joe; his mother, Eileen; Eddie and his, wife, Amy; and sisters Kerry, Tara, Megan and Erin.
"We have always known, all along, from day one, that he was going to make it through," Kerry said. "He keeps working hard and has been positive."
Now Michael lifts weights and stretches, often joking with the nurses and therapists, his family said. There have been difficult days - days when he fell out of bed or just didn't want to continue with his intense regimen, but he said the nurses kept him motivated. "They stay on my back, making sure I don't slack off," he said.
Now Sullivan envisions a day where he can not only walk under his own power, but suit up again as one of New York's finest. "The goal has always been to get him back to normal and get him back to his regular life," Kerry said. "It has been slow at times, but he's always been making progress."
Tickets are still available for the benefit at Mulcahy's, which begins at 7 p.m. on Jan. 31. The $75 fee includes drinks, a buffet dinner and music. There will also be raffle tickets for sale. For more information, contact Mary Gorry or Kerry Sullivan at michaelhurryhome@gmail.com. Contributions can be sent to the Michael Sullivan Hurry Home Fund, P.O. Box 756, East Meadow, N.Y. 11554.
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
