Jeremy Warriner 3.0
Donation protected
On a late October evening in 2005, Jeremy Warriner was on his way home from work when an inexperienced teenage driver turned left across his path from an intersecting road. Traveling on a county road at 55 miles an hour (the posted speed limit), Jeremy swerved to avoid hitting the front driver's side of the other car and had room to get past the vehicle, but the rookie driver stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake and slammed into the passenger side of Jeremy's Jeep Wrangler, forcing him off the road into a utility pole. Jeremy's left leg was crushed by the impact with the pole, and both legs were pinned by the newly misshapen door and dashboard...then his Jeep rolled up onto its passenger side and came to a halt. The teen driver was in shock and had a few cuts and scrapes, maybe a twisted ankle, but was otherwise ok. The teen was coherent enough to call 911.
Jeremy felt his leg get crushed, but was unaware that his right wrist had suffered a compound fracture or that his nose and jaw were broken and that his forehead and cheekbones had sustained multiple fractures as well. (One doctor would later describe the x-ray of his face as "looking like the spider web pattern of a broken windshield"). A minister on his way home from a meal stopped to help and was soon joined by a retired nurse who had been on a leisurely evening drive, and a man who quite literally walked out of the cornfield. As these three tried to figure out how to get Jeremy free from the twisted wreckage a fire ignited in the engine of the Jeep. They immediately started fighting the fire. The three good Samaritans would soon be joined by two police officers who were less than a mile away and could respond quickly, and a farmer from across the road; all of whom risked their lives fighting to free Jeremy from the inferno.
Though ultimately successful, Jeremy sustained fourth degree (aka "complete") burns to his lower legs before his heroes could pull him free. His injuries were so severe that he was placed into a medically induced coma for almost six weeks; during which time his body was continually attacked by virulent infections and he suffered both kidney and lung failure requiring the temporary use of 24/7 dialysis and a respirator. Jeremy's nose was set in the ER, a metal plate was implanted to hold his wrist together, his jaw was wired shut, and his facial fractures healed before the scheduled facial reconstruction surgery could be performed. Sadly, his legs were so badly damaged that they each had to be amputated from above the knee. Jeremy awoke from his medically induced coma as a bilateral above knee amputee.
That was just the beginning. Somehow, he has managed to maintain a positive attitude and regularly shares his story of perseverance, independence, and faith with others. His journey has led him to testify as an advocate for himself and others in hearings in both the Indiana and the United States Capitol buildings, to leading a protest in Detroit, to volunteering with several non-profits, and to the bedsides of other amputees and burn patients. Though his challenges are many, he lives a happy, active, and independent life.
For the past seven of what has been almost nine years he has had the benefit of walking on a pair of microprocessor controlled hydraulic prostheses called C-legs. (For the first two years he either didn't walk or used a pair of low tech prostheses, on which he fell at least once a week). While the C-Legs have helped him to ambulate in the community, avoid many a fall, and access parts of the world that a wheelchair or even a less advanced pair of prosthetics never would allow, they are starting to wear out. On top of that, Jeremy has recently been diagnosed with both severe sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes.
Now, as we approach the ninth anniversary of this traumatic event, Jeremy has the chance to purchase an advanced pair of prostheses, called the Power Knee, that have robotic knees. These legs will help Jeremy achieve a level of activity that will help him increase his endurance and exercise which is paramount to reducing weight and controlling, possibly even beating his sleep apnea and diabetes diagnoses. With the aid of robotic knees Jeremy will be able to stand from a seated position (and vice versa) with minimal use of his upper body - sparing his arms and shoulders from excessive wear and tear, walk up and down steps easier, walk at varied speeds with greater control and for longer distances, possibly hold a woman on the dance floor without needing crutches for support, and hopefully even advance to a point where he can leave the crutches in the corner and walk unassisted. That last one is a ways down the road, but for the first time he really believes it’s possible.
The suggested retail price of the Power Knee is $75,000 per knee. A pair of Power Knees could cost as much as $150,000. Jeremy's insurance company has given approval to proceed with the project but the amount they will cover is uncertain and will not cover the cost. Their approval is only valid until October 27th, 2014. Even with this assistance the cost to Jeremy is going to be high, and he will also need to cover additional expenses like physical therapy to learn how to really use all of the functions of the new knees. We feel an appropriate target to help him is at least $47,000...which he will need by the end of October.
Please consider making a donation and sharing this site with your contacts whom you think might be interested. Even if you are not able to make a donation, please help spread the word. Thank you!
*Please note, Platinum, Ruby, and Diamond rewards will be scheduled with individual donors after Jeremy has received his Power Knees. Likewise, Silver and Gold rewards will be sent out after Jeremy receives the Power Knees and can be photographed. Jeremy should receive his Power Knees by the end of October!
Jeremy felt his leg get crushed, but was unaware that his right wrist had suffered a compound fracture or that his nose and jaw were broken and that his forehead and cheekbones had sustained multiple fractures as well. (One doctor would later describe the x-ray of his face as "looking like the spider web pattern of a broken windshield"). A minister on his way home from a meal stopped to help and was soon joined by a retired nurse who had been on a leisurely evening drive, and a man who quite literally walked out of the cornfield. As these three tried to figure out how to get Jeremy free from the twisted wreckage a fire ignited in the engine of the Jeep. They immediately started fighting the fire. The three good Samaritans would soon be joined by two police officers who were less than a mile away and could respond quickly, and a farmer from across the road; all of whom risked their lives fighting to free Jeremy from the inferno.
Though ultimately successful, Jeremy sustained fourth degree (aka "complete") burns to his lower legs before his heroes could pull him free. His injuries were so severe that he was placed into a medically induced coma for almost six weeks; during which time his body was continually attacked by virulent infections and he suffered both kidney and lung failure requiring the temporary use of 24/7 dialysis and a respirator. Jeremy's nose was set in the ER, a metal plate was implanted to hold his wrist together, his jaw was wired shut, and his facial fractures healed before the scheduled facial reconstruction surgery could be performed. Sadly, his legs were so badly damaged that they each had to be amputated from above the knee. Jeremy awoke from his medically induced coma as a bilateral above knee amputee.
That was just the beginning. Somehow, he has managed to maintain a positive attitude and regularly shares his story of perseverance, independence, and faith with others. His journey has led him to testify as an advocate for himself and others in hearings in both the Indiana and the United States Capitol buildings, to leading a protest in Detroit, to volunteering with several non-profits, and to the bedsides of other amputees and burn patients. Though his challenges are many, he lives a happy, active, and independent life.
For the past seven of what has been almost nine years he has had the benefit of walking on a pair of microprocessor controlled hydraulic prostheses called C-legs. (For the first two years he either didn't walk or used a pair of low tech prostheses, on which he fell at least once a week). While the C-Legs have helped him to ambulate in the community, avoid many a fall, and access parts of the world that a wheelchair or even a less advanced pair of prosthetics never would allow, they are starting to wear out. On top of that, Jeremy has recently been diagnosed with both severe sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes.
Now, as we approach the ninth anniversary of this traumatic event, Jeremy has the chance to purchase an advanced pair of prostheses, called the Power Knee, that have robotic knees. These legs will help Jeremy achieve a level of activity that will help him increase his endurance and exercise which is paramount to reducing weight and controlling, possibly even beating his sleep apnea and diabetes diagnoses. With the aid of robotic knees Jeremy will be able to stand from a seated position (and vice versa) with minimal use of his upper body - sparing his arms and shoulders from excessive wear and tear, walk up and down steps easier, walk at varied speeds with greater control and for longer distances, possibly hold a woman on the dance floor without needing crutches for support, and hopefully even advance to a point where he can leave the crutches in the corner and walk unassisted. That last one is a ways down the road, but for the first time he really believes it’s possible.
The suggested retail price of the Power Knee is $75,000 per knee. A pair of Power Knees could cost as much as $150,000. Jeremy's insurance company has given approval to proceed with the project but the amount they will cover is uncertain and will not cover the cost. Their approval is only valid until October 27th, 2014. Even with this assistance the cost to Jeremy is going to be high, and he will also need to cover additional expenses like physical therapy to learn how to really use all of the functions of the new knees. We feel an appropriate target to help him is at least $47,000...which he will need by the end of October.
Please consider making a donation and sharing this site with your contacts whom you think might be interested. Even if you are not able to make a donation, please help spread the word. Thank you!
*Please note, Platinum, Ruby, and Diamond rewards will be scheduled with individual donors after Jeremy has received his Power Knees. Likewise, Silver and Gold rewards will be sent out after Jeremy receives the Power Knees and can be photographed. Jeremy should receive his Power Knees by the end of October!
Organizer
Jeremy K. Warriner
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN
