Toxic River Water

On July, 5th Chris Lawrence, a father of 4 stepped into the St. Lucie River to help a friend work on their fishing boat. This father of 4 owns a small detailing business in Palm City with his partner, Laura. Together they manage every aspect of the business. With Laura in Oregon helping her 82 year old grandma, who recently had shingles, the financial stability of the family would be his for the next two weeks. Tragically, his quick encounter with the toxic water of the St. Lucie River, combined with an open cut on his knee, left him in the hospital not only fighting to save his leg, but also his life.
After 21 days the amazing staff at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, the local trauma hospital, was able to save his leg. Once the staff realized they were facing flesh eating bacteria from the toxic water, they quickly acted to remove the skin from his right leg and clean out his muscles to ensure the bacteria would not spread. For the next two weeks Chris underwent a surgery every other day to clean the infected area. They also drained all of the fluids from his leg to ensure the bacteria would not spread. After feeling confident the flesh eating bacteria was removed, the hospital began the arduous process of creating new skin for his leg to replace what was removed. Thankfully the bacteria did not get too deep into the muscle tissue, as this would have been an even more difficult process. Chris is now home and does not have use of his leg yet, although thankfully in time he will. He will be in the hospital twice a week for 8 weeks while they continue to reapply fresh skin on his leg. For the next 8 weeks not only will Chris be continuing to rack up medical bills, but he will also be out of work.
The main concern for the family right now is the health and healing of their father. Secondary to that begins the financial concerns they now face. The family rents a home and rent, food, and bill expenses are a very serious concern right now. In addition, all four of their boys, age 5 to 18, begin school in two weeks. With the start of school comes needed school supplies and school clothes for the growing boys. Once the basic needs are met, and the school needs are met, there is also the overwhelming medical expenses the family will now have to begin trying to figure out a way to manage.
Our family is urging you to help in any way you can. That might be a phone call from family and friends for support, prayers, school supplies, financial donations and also simply spreading the word to make sure this situation never happens to anyone again!