Tyler Johnson Emergency Medical Fund

On August 8th 9:35 PM my dear friend Tyler Johnson was walking home from the drugstore near his apartment when a speeding vehicle drove onto the sidewalk and struck him. Tyler was launched from his position into a concrete ditch nearby. In a heinous act of callousness and lack of regard for their fellow man the driver recovered the vehicle and left the scene without notifying EMS. 

Tyler would have most certainly died last night if it weren't for the intervention of nearby individuals who overheard the impact and came to investigate. He laid, nearly unconscious, for an estimated 15-20 minutes until discovered, bleeding out, losing in total 4 liters of blood. His right tibia suffered a massive compound fracture with the bone being almost completely shattered below. Firefighters responded to the scene and rushed him to John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Trauma Center where he was immediately admitted to the ICU with rapid pulse and significantly low blood pressure. He received blood and fluid transfusions throughout the night, and was eventually placed on a ventilator due to complications from the excess blood in his body from the transfusions. This morning he underwent emergency surgery in an attempt to save his leg; another surgical procedure will follow in 2 weeks. At the time of this writing he remains on the ventilator with hopes of it being removed tomorrow. 

By the Grace of God he has apparently suffered no traumatic brain injury and has responded to multiple cues, even giving a thumbs up for the few moments he wasn't sedated/intubated. It is currently unknown how much functionality he will recover in his leg but Doctors and family remain hopeful. 

Tyler was most recently working part time, and, as such, was not covered by private health insurance. He was slated to begin a new full time job this Tuesday that would have him covered under a new policy. As a result of this horrendous and tragic accident he will incur what I can only imagine will be insurmountable medical bills. He will obviously not be able to work at any given point in the near future. He will most likely lose his apartment. He will have to re-learn how to walk again through extensive and extended physical therapy. While I firmly believe Tyler will recover from this massively unlucky twist of fate, the path ahead will be fraught with hardship. Financial stress will increase that tenfold. 

I am creating this GoFundMe campaign with that thought in mind. My hope is to mitigate some of the tremendous stress and strain this accident has created for Tyler and his family. Tyler is a one of a kind individual. He is the type of person whom one can always count on to be there in times of need, regardless of what's happening in his own life. He has tirelessly dedicated himself to the needs of others over the past several years; working in behavioral health as an inspiration to the lost souls, the broken, among us today. I have personally witnessed this man practice compassion, patience, kindness, and love in situations where even the strongest willed and hardy people would falter and break. He has, without exception, a true heart of service. He has always been there for me, for his friends, with a smile, a laugh, and a hug. Tyler motivates people. He sees the best in us, often hidden by circumstance, and innately works to bring out the light that we cannot see ourselves. He is, by all accounts, the type of man I aspire to be on a daily basis. 

If I could singlehandedly handle his financial burdens as a result of the current situation, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I know he would do the same for me. Unfortunately that is not the position I find myself in today. I come before you, humbly, asking that you might consider helping my friend get back on his feet. 

In a time of such radical adversity, negativity, sadness, loss, and division, the movement must be love. The joy and peace that can be found in the act of service, of giving, is a solid piece of the foundation upon which we build meaningful change and progress within our own lives. I implore you today to be a part of that movement. Even if you can't contribute financially, try to pass on the blessings of your own life unto others, even in a small way. Tell the people you care about today how much you love them. Reach out to friends and family; remind them you stand with them regardless of circumstance. Be of service to your fellows and the rewards will far exceed any material wealth you could ever hope to acquire in this life. Life is fragile. Things aren't always going to be exactly how they are in this moment, as much as we often forget. Be like Tyler: motivate, inspire, give freely, promote, encourage, and love your brothers and sisters. While he may not be able to speak for himself at this moment, I know it would make him smile. 

God Bless. 

-Sean