Support Derek Carpenter's Road to Recovery

Hi friends- this fundraiser is to benefit the incredibly brave and strong Derek Carpenter in a severe time of need after a free climbing incident. On May 23, 2024, pursuing one of his most beloved passions, he slid over 300 feet down the first Flatiron in Boulder, CO. and crashed at a high velocity.

This resulted in full body, extensive abrasive wounds, an exploded L3 vertebra, complete open book fracture to the pelvis with the cartilage broken, complete sacral fracture above the tailbone, six broken ribs, fractured S1 and S2, completely fractured tibia and fibia, an open fracture to the elbow, broken ankle bones, bladder displacement, hematomas, blood transfusions, transportation to a more experienced trauma unit, etc.

We are extremely lucky he avoided paralysis and is able to move his arms after all he’s endured. He has an extremely long recovery ahead including many more immediate surgeries, multiple months in the hospital, at least 5 months in a wheelchair, and surgeries that will need to be performed later on in his life as well.

He was wearing a helmet and his head, money-maker face, and gorgeous teeth are all perfectly in tact. The amount requested will cover Derek’s living expenses for roughly 3 months. He is single, entirely self employed, and acquired a mortgage less than a year ago. He owns the very successful custom woodwork company Carpenterior, and goes by @art.of.one on Instagram. He's a Colorado Native, a mechanical engineer, amazing artist, and has never been short of anything but a true fighter- already beating Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer.

The beautiful picture here is from the same peak that tripped him up. We still have a bunch of logistics to sort out regarding his new norm and are beyond grateful for any monetary contribution made toward his recovery. Thank you sincerely for all of the support and kind words of encouragement that have already been sent his way! He feels it all and is very optimistic about conquering this new chapter of his life!

Much love- Jeffrey and Pamela Smith, Paulina and Blake Douglas, and Chasten, Sara, Trevor, and Madisyn Carpenter