Andrew Baumann
Donation protected
Late on December 30th, Andrew Baumann suffered a severe injury to his spinal cord at the T-4& T-5 lumbar region and was rushed to University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Over five hours of surgery, neurosurgeons and pulmonary specialists removed a large piece of iron fence from his spine, stabilized his spine with metal rods and screws, and repaired a punctured right lung. While his lung will have a full recovery, due to the location of the injury on his spine and the impact, he will have a long recovery. As of now he is paralyzed from mid-torso down.
He remained in ICU and then critical care in New Orleans for several days, and on January 9th was airlifted to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Center (formerly the Chicago Rehabilitation Center) where his team is working to asses and implement a road to recovery. He is in multiple therapy sessions daily and is getting into his wheelchair several times a day – which is helping him get around and out of bed. He has had many of his friends visit already – which makes him happy.
He will be at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab through mid-February. The Baumanns are taking each day one at a time – it is too early to gauge recovery at this point. (It has been just four weeks since the accident so there is a lot of necessary healing of the spine and wounds before such assessments can be made.)
The ordeal has brought about and will continue to bring costs above and beyond insurance coverage. (The cost of the air-lift from New Orleans to Chicago alone was over 20k.) In addition to the medical and therapeutic costs which are significant, Laura and John face daunting expenses, which include renovations to their house to make it wheelchair accessible, and a wheelchair ready vehicle. Laura has taken a partial leave from work. As time goes on, their out-of-pocket expenses will continue to be formidable.
In order to make sustained care affordable, the help of the Baumann’s community of friends is critical. Please consider giving what you can, within your own means. All of us know the gift of friendship that the Baumanns and Andrew in particular have given us. Here is our opportunity to offer love and support in return.
He remained in ICU and then critical care in New Orleans for several days, and on January 9th was airlifted to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Center (formerly the Chicago Rehabilitation Center) where his team is working to asses and implement a road to recovery. He is in multiple therapy sessions daily and is getting into his wheelchair several times a day – which is helping him get around and out of bed. He has had many of his friends visit already – which makes him happy.
He will be at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab through mid-February. The Baumanns are taking each day one at a time – it is too early to gauge recovery at this point. (It has been just four weeks since the accident so there is a lot of necessary healing of the spine and wounds before such assessments can be made.)
The ordeal has brought about and will continue to bring costs above and beyond insurance coverage. (The cost of the air-lift from New Orleans to Chicago alone was over 20k.) In addition to the medical and therapeutic costs which are significant, Laura and John face daunting expenses, which include renovations to their house to make it wheelchair accessible, and a wheelchair ready vehicle. Laura has taken a partial leave from work. As time goes on, their out-of-pocket expenses will continue to be formidable.
In order to make sustained care affordable, the help of the Baumann’s community of friends is critical. Please consider giving what you can, within your own means. All of us know the gift of friendship that the Baumanns and Andrew in particular have given us. Here is our opportunity to offer love and support in return.
Organiser and beneficiary
Laura Sickel Baumann
Organiser
New Orleans, LA
Laura Sickel Baumann
Beneficiary
