In the early hours of July 11, 2021, the world changed in an instant. Josh Dowd—a spirit so bright, kind, and full of life that he left a mark on everyone he met—was found brutally assaulted and left for dead on the railroad tracks in Atlanta.
The initial medical reports were devastating. Doctors classified his condition as a GCS3 coma—the deepest level of unconsciousness. We were told to prepare for the worst: that Josh would likely never wake up, or if he did, would remain in a persistent vegetative state. We were told to say goodbye.
But Josh had other plans.
What happened next was not just a recovery; it was a defiance of the odds. In those critical first six months, while the world watched and prayed, Josh fought for every inch of ground:
The New Battle: The Cost of Breaking Through
Today, the "crisis" phase of saving Josh's life is over, but the fight for his quality of life has entered a more complex financial chapter. While Josh still has high quality health insurance, the medical system has limits. Insurance covers the "standard of care"—the basics to keep him stable. But we know Josh is capable of more than just "stable."
To truly recover what was stolen from him, Josh needs access to cutting-edge neuro-cognitive therapies and innovative rehabilitation techniques. These are the treatments pushing the boundaries of brain science, offering hope where traditional medicine says "this is as good as it gets."
However, because these therapies are advanced, insurance classifies them as "experimental" and will typically cover nothing.
Why We Need You Now
We are routinely presented with significant out-of-pocket costs to access these breakthroughs. This campaign is our way to bridge the gap between the basic care insurance provides and the advanced recovery Josh deserves. Your support unlocks:
Be Part of the Legacy
If you are new here, welcome to Team Josh. If you have been with us since those dark days in July 2021, THANK YOU. You are the reason he is here today.
Josh proves to us every day that the impossible is just a starting point. We are asking you to view this not as a donation, but as an investment in a miracle still in progress. We will not stop until we have exhausted every opportunity—experimental or otherwise—to help Josh regain the life that was taken from him.
With love, gratitude, and unyielding hope,
~Colin, Josh and all his family and friends
The initial medical reports were devastating. Doctors classified his condition as a GCS3 coma—the deepest level of unconsciousness. We were told to prepare for the worst: that Josh would likely never wake up, or if he did, would remain in a persistent vegetative state. We were told to say goodbye.
But Josh had other plans.
What happened next was not just a recovery; it was a defiance of the odds. In those critical first six months, while the world watched and prayed, Josh fought for every inch of ground:
- The Awakening: He defied the GCS3 prognosis, opening his eyes and responding to our voices.
- The Breath: He fought to breathe on his own, successfully weaning off the ventilator and having his tracheostomy removed—a massive victory for his independence.
- The Voice: After months of silence, he found his voice again, whispering his first words and relearning to swallow and eat.
- The Homecoming: Perhaps the biggest miracle occurred in December 2021, when Josh was discharged from the Shepherd Center’s inpatient program—leaving a constant care environment when many predicted he would be institutionalized forever.
The New Battle: The Cost of Breaking Through
Today, the "crisis" phase of saving Josh's life is over, but the fight for his quality of life has entered a more complex financial chapter. While Josh still has high quality health insurance, the medical system has limits. Insurance covers the "standard of care"—the basics to keep him stable. But we know Josh is capable of more than just "stable."
To truly recover what was stolen from him, Josh needs access to cutting-edge neuro-cognitive therapies and innovative rehabilitation techniques. These are the treatments pushing the boundaries of brain science, offering hope where traditional medicine says "this is as good as it gets."
However, because these therapies are advanced, insurance classifies them as "experimental" and will typically cover nothing.
Why We Need You Now
We are routinely presented with significant out-of-pocket costs to access these breakthroughs. This campaign is our way to bridge the gap between the basic care insurance provides and the advanced recovery Josh deserves. Your support unlocks:
- Access to Emerging Therapies: Cutting-edge treatments that target neuro-plasticity and brain repair, which are 100% patient-funded.
- Specialized, High-Tech Equipment: Tools designed to retrain the brain and body that standard insurance deems "unnecessary."
- A Long-Term Strategy: The ability to say "yes" to new medical opportunities without being stopped by the price tag.
Be Part of the Legacy
If you are new here, welcome to Team Josh. If you have been with us since those dark days in July 2021, THANK YOU. You are the reason he is here today.
Josh proves to us every day that the impossible is just a starting point. We are asking you to view this not as a donation, but as an investment in a miracle still in progress. We will not stop until we have exhausted every opportunity—experimental or otherwise—to help Josh regain the life that was taken from him.
With love, gratitude, and unyielding hope,
~Colin, Josh and all his family and friends
Organizer and beneficiary
Keith Dowd
Beneficiary