Charlie's Army

On September 20th, Charlie was driving to work.  He was blocks from home.  It was foggy.   And then the world started spinning; his vehicle was thrown into a neighbor's front yard.   His car had been struck, just behind the driver’s door, at speed.   

His neck was shattered and he was left paralyzed.  A C5a Quadriplegic, Charlie’s life has been forever changed.   

The months since then have been grueling.  Charlie had a collapsed lung.  He fought off two bouts of pneumonia.  He's had to train new nerve paths so he can drive a wheelchair, learn how to take care of himself, learn to recognize symptoms of the myriad conditions that afflict quadriplegics.

Since day one, people have asked how they could help—what they could do for Charlie.   We asked a few to help with specific things, but for most of you the answer was: 'Please wait; we will tell you when we need a hand.'  

We called you 'Charlie's Army' and held you in reserve, knowing we'd have to call upon you eventually.   

We're finally at a place where you can lend a hand.  

Charlie has a concrete need: a new bed.

The bed he wants to try is not covered by insurance because it is not a medical bed. In an attempt to normalize life as much as possible, he's opting for a non-medical bed that other quadriplegics have had success with. Naturally, it isn't cheap.

But sleep is difficult for quadriplegics and a good bed is crucial.    

His lack of sensation and movement in the lower extremities present unique problems in getting into and out of bed.  He also has very limited movement in his arms, which prevents him from changing his position easily.   Uninjured people can feel when their body has been too long in one position and move to relieve that pressure.  Charlie no longer has that luxury.  

He needs a bed that can raise both his head and his legs, has adjustable support to avoid pressure points but still be firm enough to facilitate transfer off the bed. He wants a mattress that can accommodate two people so he can safely share a bed.

Sleep Number beds have a track record of success for people in his condition, they offer the options he needs medically, and come in a configuration where two people can sleep in different positions.

However, this means he's looking at several thousand dollars for a bed, hundreds more for new sheets, mattress protectors, blankets, and pillows.

Since it is not covered by insurance, the entire cost will be out of his pocket.   

So here's the plot: we, Charlie's Army, raise enough to pay for his bed and related items to take that burden off him so he can focus on getting well, adapting to his new life, and getting back to work.

Every dollar raised will go to help Charlie meet his new needs so even small donations are important. Charlie's Army is large---it will add up!

Fund Use: All donations will go directly toward offsetting the costs of the items on his 'wish list'. If the campaign is wildly successful and we over-perform, excess funds will be put toward a vehicle so he can get to and from work! (or other expenses related to his new reality).

Anonymous Donations: If you decide to donate but do not wish for your name to appear on the page, there is a 'Make Anonymous' option you can use during the donation process.

Offline Donations: Additionally, if you aren't comfortable using an online service to contribute, you can contact me directly and we can make arrangements for an in-person donation to be added to the collection.