Hello!  Welcome to BigMikesFriends.com. 

This website is dedicated to my brother, Mike Heironimus. 

Some of you know him as Mike, some call him Big Mike, some call him Moose, he's even known as DJ Osbourne.  To those of you who know him, no introduction is needed.  To those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting him, I can attest that he's quite a sweetie and a pleasure to know. =o)  I am his sister, Kathy.  The picture at the top right of the page is of the two of us at Christmas time 2002.  The one directly above was also taken in December of 2002 when he and I went out to dinner at Pargo's in Winchester.  My Mother told me that Mike really likes this picture of himself so that is why I have chosen to display it on the front page here.  =o)

THE REASON WE'RE HERE... July 20th, 2003....

(The following is MY OWN ACCOUNT of the facts.  I have left out many details at my own discretion.   If you care to give me an account of the accident, please email it to me.  Thank you.)

Mike was riding in the back of a pickup truck in a parking lot in Winchester VA.  At around midnight, he was ejected from the back of the vehicle and fell to the ground, landing at least once, on his head.  This impact caused two separate, very serious and potentially fatal head/brain injuries.  One closed head injury in the back of his head and a depressed skull fracture on the right side of his head.  He was unconscious and in seizure immediately after the impact. Mike was rushed to Winchester Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery to place a drain into his head to relieve pressure.  However, his injuries were so severe and his brain swelling so rapidly that a second emergency surgery was performed to remove the three pieces from the fractured portion of his head.  This was essentially the right side of his skull.   This allowed the brain somewhere to go as it swelled.  As I write this, 14 days later, his brain is still swelling and getting worse. 

Mike knows so many people!  He is quite popular! And so very many friends have sent cards and letters to our home.  These thoughts are very appreciated.  Everyone is encouraged to send cards and letters to Mike and our family.  We do read them with him and hang some in his room.  In my opinion, love and concern is a message that is loud and clear in any circumstance.  To write to Mike:   Mike Heironimus - Room A11,  Care Haven Center, 2720 Charles Town Road, Martinsburg WV 25401.  Be sure to be clear about who you are, etc.  Thanks !!!

WHY I CREATED THIS WEBSITE...

Several reasons...

Many people call my parents every day for an update on Mike's condition and that is fine.  But, I wanted to create a website where anyone can come to get the same update and therefore maybe relieve some of the call volume from my parents home phone. 

Also...I wanted to share some photos with you here so that you can enjoy them as well.  They are bringing me great comfort at this time.  If you have photos that you'd like to share, please email me!!  I'd love to have more photos!!

Lastly...I wanted to create a place where Mike's friends, family, acquaintances, friends of our family or anyone who wishes can come and post messages to Mike and our family.  A place to express yourself and even share your feelings if you'd like. 

As time goes on, I hope this website will grow.  I will add to it and also update it daily.  I hope you will take the time to continually come back and check on Mike and his condition.  I hope you will take the time to write messages of love and concern to him and our family and his friends.  I hope you will take the time to post a story about Mike - maybe something that you and he did, a place you went, a time you shared, etc.  I hope you will be considerate and only make postings that are appropriate. (I will remove those that are not)  I hope you will always remember and never forget Mike.  He would do the same for you.  He cares deeply for his friends and is known for his generosity.  Remember...accidents happen - and it could happen to you.

We want everyone to know how very much we appreciate your prayers and concern. 

Thank you and God Bless.

~ Please click here or the UPDATES button to get the Updates on Mike's condition.

~ Please click here or the MESSAGES button to leave a message or post a story/memory.

~ Please click here or the EMAIL US button to send us an email or to send a private message to Mike or our family (Emails will NOT show up on messages & memories page)

~ Click here to read the newspaper account of the accident.

Note:  The special notebooks for messages at the Dream Machine Arcade in the Apple Blossom Mall has been removed.  We'd like to thank   everyone who took the time to stop by and leave personal written messages and drawings there for Mike.  He really enjoyed them all!