William Billy Freeman Fund

I want to tell you a story about William “Billy” Freeman; it’s not every day that you meet someone like Billy. This story starts on August 5, 2007 while he was riding his motorcycle. Billy’s  motorbike lost control and he was dragged for 75 feet on the ground. As a result of this event, Billy’s life changed dramatically. His right arm had to be amputated and his left arm was crushed, causing him to have very limited use of the remaining arm and hand.

He was medically hospitalized at Morristown Memorial Hospital for 7 months.  After his stay in the medical hospital, he spent several more months in Elizabeth Anne’s Rehabilitation Treatment Center on Staten Island, NY, learning how to walk again. Billy lived with friends and associates for a couple of years after the accident until he was able to find permanent housing with Staten Island Behavioral Network in 2013. Billy experienced deep depression after the accident and was clinically diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. Through intensive treatment and with the ambition to get better, Billy eventually overcame his debilitating depression.

Despite his set-backs, he took charge of his life and future and joined the workforce as a Peer Advocate to inspire others to do what may seem impossible. Billy currently works full-time helping individuals living with mental illness to realize their highest potential and succeed in their goals. Since Billy’s recovery, he has literally helped hundreds of people struggling with a wide variety of illness, including but not limited to: Depression Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenic Disorders, and Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Billy has done incredibly altruistic things on his own after the accident, but now needs support from his community.

Over the last several years, Billy has seen numerous world-class doctors in New York City to attempt reconstruction on his remaining arm, and to be fitted with prosthetics for the missing limb.  All these attempts have failed; all of his consultations in New York have not been successful. Billy has recently been in touch with medical professionals at a hospital in Denver, Colorado who specialize in surgeries for limb preservation. The doctors in Colorado strongly believe they will be able to repair Billy’s crushed arm and hand, with plans to replace his elbow and repair his wrist and fingers. In order for this dream to become reality, Billy will have to travel roundtrip from New York to Colorado four or five times, which is not included in his insurance. Additionally, he has to pay a deductible of $1,000 for the surgery as well as cover 20% of the cost not covered by his health insurance.  In total, the estimated out-of-pocket expenses for airfare; hotel stays; insurance deductibles; and surgery; totals over $20,000.  This sum seems unsurmountable and prevents him from thinking this life-changing surgery could ever be possible for someone like him.  

Billy has helped so many people realize their goals while experiencing some of the darkest hours of his life, but now needs help to realize his own. Please share his story and contribute whatever you can to aid Billy in rebuilding his life.

Sincerely,

Nathan W. Stapley, M.S.
Staten Island Behavioral Network, Inc. / Affiliate of ICL
Supported Housing Program Director

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."  - Mark Twain