Let's get a Truck for Shain
Donation protected
Dear Family, Friends, Community and Others who care: Let’s all pull together and raise enough funds to purchase a much-needed Chevy Silverado SLP truck for Shain, by 2016!! “If anyone can beat this and walk again, it’s Shain!” These are words from his family, friends, and medical professionals that work with him daily.
Shain Jonathan Karsen, age 28 yrs, grew up an energetic, and very active kid who helped his dad run the family farm. He played sports in school and was a leader on the fields and off, always inspiring his teammates and friends. He was even known to give the opponent a kind word and pat on the back.
Life changed dramatically on April 18, 2013 for Shain, as well as his family. Mom- Cindy, Dad- Dickie and Sister – Aubrey, got the call that a tree fell on Shain while he was working….they had little detail, but rushed to Toledo, OH, where Shain was hospitalized.
The situation was more dire then they had realized….Shain’s injuries were life threatening. Shain and his co-workers had been working for several days outside in stormy weather. The continual rain and increased water level caused a 26 ½” diameter tree to uproot and fall directly on their ORV, pinning Shain in the vehicle. Due to the severe weather, the ER vehicles couldn’t even to get in to rescue him…he had to be gurneyed out. The resulting injury was that Shain’s spinal cord was severed…a complete T12 break, which left him completely paralyzed from the belly button down.
Cindy always encourages Shain to “Think about who you are…you are a leader and you do inspire others, with all you have accomplished already!” Aubrey always says, “You can do it, Shain…c’mon, let’s go for a bike ride or something!” Dickie always makes sure Shain can get around when he comes home to Lincoln.
Shain has been profoundly affected by the limitations of his injury , but he went right to work in PT and Rehab, first at DMC (Detroit Medical Center)- inpatient rehab. The rehab regimen was supposed to take 3-4 months, but Shain completed it in 1 ½ months! Doctors remarked on how well Shain responded to therapy and how dedicated he was to reaching goals set for him.
Next phase took place in Traverse City – outpatient Rehab. Shain was now working on strengthening his core, getting up and down stairs, etc. He even completed Driver’s Ed training….all of this taking 1 ½ months, when 90 % of patients take 6 to 8 months to complete this phase!
Currently, Shain resides near Grand Rapids, MI, and travels almost daily to Rehab at Life Beyond Barriers in Rockford, MI. Kudos to the wonderful staff there!! He has made awesome friends, as he continues to work on his core strength, assisted walking (with 2 canes), crawling up and down ramps, etc.
Update: Shain is beginning to have movement and feeling from belly button to legs and has physically improved from T12 injury to L1!!
A huge part of Shain’s rehab and recovery is self sufficiency and independence. Before his injury, Shain drove a stick shift car that now sits useless, because it cannot be converted to hand operated. The family believed that Workman’s Comp insurance would step in and cover the necessary things in life, like a vehicle, but sadly, they do not. In 2013, the family was forced to purchase a used 2002 minivan, just a temporary fix to get around for medical appointments. The van has many mechanical issues and won’t last much longer. Shain has great upper body strength, and drives himself back and forth to Rehab, but he struggles to get himself and his chair in and out of a vehicle not designed for that purpose.
Shain has not and will not ask for help, he says, “I just want to get back to who I was before this happened.”
Although Workman’s Comp will not supply a truck for Shain, they will retrofit it for him. This will enable him to easily drive where he needs with his chair, as well as carry equipment like his kayak, bike, or even a special chair to play basketball again.
We all want to see Shain get out there, live life to it’s fullest and continue to heal! We are so grateful for what we do have and thanks to all for your kindness!! We love you, Shain!
Shain Jonathan Karsen, age 28 yrs, grew up an energetic, and very active kid who helped his dad run the family farm. He played sports in school and was a leader on the fields and off, always inspiring his teammates and friends. He was even known to give the opponent a kind word and pat on the back.
Life changed dramatically on April 18, 2013 for Shain, as well as his family. Mom- Cindy, Dad- Dickie and Sister – Aubrey, got the call that a tree fell on Shain while he was working….they had little detail, but rushed to Toledo, OH, where Shain was hospitalized.
The situation was more dire then they had realized….Shain’s injuries were life threatening. Shain and his co-workers had been working for several days outside in stormy weather. The continual rain and increased water level caused a 26 ½” diameter tree to uproot and fall directly on their ORV, pinning Shain in the vehicle. Due to the severe weather, the ER vehicles couldn’t even to get in to rescue him…he had to be gurneyed out. The resulting injury was that Shain’s spinal cord was severed…a complete T12 break, which left him completely paralyzed from the belly button down.
Cindy always encourages Shain to “Think about who you are…you are a leader and you do inspire others, with all you have accomplished already!” Aubrey always says, “You can do it, Shain…c’mon, let’s go for a bike ride or something!” Dickie always makes sure Shain can get around when he comes home to Lincoln.
Shain has been profoundly affected by the limitations of his injury , but he went right to work in PT and Rehab, first at DMC (Detroit Medical Center)- inpatient rehab. The rehab regimen was supposed to take 3-4 months, but Shain completed it in 1 ½ months! Doctors remarked on how well Shain responded to therapy and how dedicated he was to reaching goals set for him.
Next phase took place in Traverse City – outpatient Rehab. Shain was now working on strengthening his core, getting up and down stairs, etc. He even completed Driver’s Ed training….all of this taking 1 ½ months, when 90 % of patients take 6 to 8 months to complete this phase!
Currently, Shain resides near Grand Rapids, MI, and travels almost daily to Rehab at Life Beyond Barriers in Rockford, MI. Kudos to the wonderful staff there!! He has made awesome friends, as he continues to work on his core strength, assisted walking (with 2 canes), crawling up and down ramps, etc.
Update: Shain is beginning to have movement and feeling from belly button to legs and has physically improved from T12 injury to L1!!
A huge part of Shain’s rehab and recovery is self sufficiency and independence. Before his injury, Shain drove a stick shift car that now sits useless, because it cannot be converted to hand operated. The family believed that Workman’s Comp insurance would step in and cover the necessary things in life, like a vehicle, but sadly, they do not. In 2013, the family was forced to purchase a used 2002 minivan, just a temporary fix to get around for medical appointments. The van has many mechanical issues and won’t last much longer. Shain has great upper body strength, and drives himself back and forth to Rehab, but he struggles to get himself and his chair in and out of a vehicle not designed for that purpose.
Shain has not and will not ask for help, he says, “I just want to get back to who I was before this happened.”
Although Workman’s Comp will not supply a truck for Shain, they will retrofit it for him. This will enable him to easily drive where he needs with his chair, as well as carry equipment like his kayak, bike, or even a special chair to play basketball again.
We all want to see Shain get out there, live life to it’s fullest and continue to heal! We are so grateful for what we do have and thanks to all for your kindness!! We love you, Shain!
Organizer and beneficiary
Robyn Hart
Organizer
Greenville, MI
Shain Karsen
Beneficiary
