Help A Vet Get Back On His...Hands
Donation protected
My name is a Marcus Edwards. Let me tell you about the unluckiest time that has been the last few years of my life:
Seven rib fractures, broken scapula and sternum, collapsed lung, several broken vertebra and permanent nerve damage leading to a rare partial paralysis all the way down my hand. I've been to five different hospitals, seen multiple specialists, had three surgeries and been on and off pain meds the whole time. I've had more x-ray, CT and MRI scans than most families will have through their lifetimes. All of this was the result of doing something I loved after separating from the USAF...racing motorcycles. I'm fortunate to have survived the worst type of crash in the racing sport but I'll probably have the paralysis and chronic pain for the rest of my life. The physical demands of my injuries are hard enough but the impact on my confidence and self esteem have been just as great.
Its taken those two years to find my own motivations again and get back to a "normal" rhythm. Unfortunately I now find myself facing more physical therapy after fracturing my other shoulder in a bicycle crash while on vacation. Words can't express how demoralizing it has been going from one of the fittest airmen in my squadron to barely having a free hand to work with. I haven't had a pain free day since April 12, 2015, and now the medical expenses of countless specialist visits, surgeries and physical therapy are taking a toll. Let's face it, the best medical treatment in the country costs an arm (pun intended) and a leg. My accidents were after leaving the military so I don't get financial assistance from VA. I'm not getting a huge settlement from a traffic accident or a workers comp case. I'm paying for a couple of bad judgement calls out of my own pocket while trying to finish a degree and get back on track. Insanely high deductibles and equally absurd premiums are making it more and more difficult to pay for treatments that will get me where I want to be. Any financial help would mean the world to me.
Even if you read this and still think gofundme pages are nothing but unwarranted cries for help, just remember one thing when you see someone that looks like they might be in need...."Inside everyone is a struggle you know nothing about"
For more information about Brachial Plexus Injuries:
http://www.ubpn.org/traumatic-injuries
Seven rib fractures, broken scapula and sternum, collapsed lung, several broken vertebra and permanent nerve damage leading to a rare partial paralysis all the way down my hand. I've been to five different hospitals, seen multiple specialists, had three surgeries and been on and off pain meds the whole time. I've had more x-ray, CT and MRI scans than most families will have through their lifetimes. All of this was the result of doing something I loved after separating from the USAF...racing motorcycles. I'm fortunate to have survived the worst type of crash in the racing sport but I'll probably have the paralysis and chronic pain for the rest of my life. The physical demands of my injuries are hard enough but the impact on my confidence and self esteem have been just as great.
Its taken those two years to find my own motivations again and get back to a "normal" rhythm. Unfortunately I now find myself facing more physical therapy after fracturing my other shoulder in a bicycle crash while on vacation. Words can't express how demoralizing it has been going from one of the fittest airmen in my squadron to barely having a free hand to work with. I haven't had a pain free day since April 12, 2015, and now the medical expenses of countless specialist visits, surgeries and physical therapy are taking a toll. Let's face it, the best medical treatment in the country costs an arm (pun intended) and a leg. My accidents were after leaving the military so I don't get financial assistance from VA. I'm not getting a huge settlement from a traffic accident or a workers comp case. I'm paying for a couple of bad judgement calls out of my own pocket while trying to finish a degree and get back on track. Insanely high deductibles and equally absurd premiums are making it more and more difficult to pay for treatments that will get me where I want to be. Any financial help would mean the world to me.
Even if you read this and still think gofundme pages are nothing but unwarranted cries for help, just remember one thing when you see someone that looks like they might be in need...."Inside everyone is a struggle you know nothing about"
For more information about Brachial Plexus Injuries:
http://www.ubpn.org/traumatic-injuries
Organizer
Marcus Edwards
Organizer
Baltimore, MD
