Dale's Force

Help "The Force" Stay Strong with Dale
If you've never met Dale Davis, just spend 5 minutes talking to him and you will feel like you've known him a Lifetime.  That's the kind of guy he is.  Those that do know him, know that he would give you the shirt off his back, no questions asked.  That's the kind of person Dale is.  He is a kind hearted, giving, family oriented man that has always been determined throughout his life.  Dale is a community oriented person who is always happy to volunteer his time and skills for many organizations in his hometown of Belding, MI.  He even volunteered for, as we passionately call "Prop Dad's" building props for the Belding High Marching Band for several years after his girls graduated from Belding High School.  That is just the kind of guy Dale Davis is.

Dale Needs Our Help
On June 6, 2018 Dale woke up with pain in his foot bad enough that he decided to go to the ER.  The doctors took some X-rays and sent him home with over the counter pain meds and said it was an arthritis flare up.  On June 9th, Dale was to walk his daughter Lauren down the aisle to at her wedding, something he was extremely excited and proud to do!  However, Dale wasn't sure if that would happen as the pain in his foot was so severe, he could not walk at all.  Ultimately his daughter Shelby pushed him in a wheelchair while he walked Lauren down the aisle, in a beautiful outdoor ceremony.

On June 11, Dale saw the PA at his doctor's office who confirmed with a blood test that he had an infection.  He was put on antibiotics with a follow up scheduled for the 15th.  When the doctors saw him at that follow up appointment, he was instructed to go to the emergency room immediately in Greenville, MI.  The doctors in the ER in Greenville made the decision to transport him by ambulance to a larger hospital in East Grand Rapids, MI some 34 miles away, that was better equipped to handle an aggressive infection such as this.

The Force is Weakening
On June 16th, Dale had the 1st of what would eventually be 5 surgeries in all.  This surgery was to see how bad the infection actually was, and it was BAD!!!  They cleaned up as much of the damaged tissue as they could, but could not get it all. June 17th Dale had a 2nd surgery to finish cleaning out the dead tissue and infection.  The next day he was transferred to Spectrum Hospital's Butterworth campus in Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, one of the Midwest's Premier Hospitals where he was to begin Hyperbaric Chamber treatments to help with this aggressive infection and hopefully save his foot and leg.

June 20, 2018 saw Dale's third surgery in 4 days.  This was to see if there was evidence of any healing and to see if there was viable tissue that could have a chance to heal.  It was after this surgery that Dale and his family got the devastating news that there was not viable tissue, that was going to heal and amputation was necessary to save his life. Over the next couple of days, tests were run to try and determine the extent of the infection and how far it had gone up his leg.  A below the knee amputation was scheduled for Tuesday June 26.  After about 3 days Dale came to grips with the reality of everything and began preparing himself for the pending surgery by having the most amazing Positive Attitude that became infectious to all of his close friends and family, that had come together to form his support network, Dale's Force as we are calling ourselves.  (More on Dale's Force later)

The Force Takes Another Hit
On June 26 Dale went into surgery for a 4th time to have a below the knee amputation of his right leg.  As the surgeons got in there and began the operation, they discovered the infection had gone further than they had expected.  The infection was now into his knee and they unfortunately had not discussed an above the knee amputation, so they were forced to only do a partial at this time. After Dale came out of recovery, he got the terrible news that he would have to endure this horrible ordeal, ALL OVER AGAIN.  That the infection was worse than they had originally thought and he would need a 5th operation.  An above the knee amputation.

Saturday June 30, 2018 surgeons performed Dale's final surgery, removing the rest of his right leg to above his knee.  They were successful in getting all of the infection and the fear of it spreading any further was gone and Dale could now finally concentrate on the healing process.  In Dale's own words he said, "Back in the Wild West this kind of thing happened too, just back then you would get gangrene and eventually die!"

Dale's Force NEEDS YOUR HELP
July 6th Dale transferred to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI to begin his rehab to get stronger and learn how to do everyday things, in new ways.  Those who know Dale, know that he is a HUGE Star Wars fan.  We are Dale's Force and The Force is strong with us!    We are a group of Dale's friends and family that have been his support network throughout this ordeal.  Dale's Force needs your help!  We have started this fundraising campaign to help Dale and Wendy with the many changes that may be needed to their home to allow Dale to lead as much of a  normal, independent life as he can.

Please Consider Helping This Veteran
We do not have estimates on anything yet and we are working hard on  figuring out what all is needed and will update this fundraising campaign as cost estimates come in.  Our Fundraising Goal is just a starting point and any donations you can make will be greatly appreciated.  Below is our initial target items that we need to get taken care of for Dale.  These are somewhat listed in order of importance, however all are important.
1.  Build a Permanent Wheelchair Ramp -  A temporary one is currently in place
2.  We may need to open doorways throughout the house for Dale to navigate a wheelchair easier in and out of rooms including him and Wendy's bedroom as well as the bathroom.
3.  When Dale comes home soon, we will hopefully have a few things changed out in the bathroom like a new toilet, a shower bench that he can hopefully transfer from outside the tub to inside the tub to be able to bath, and handrails and grab bars.  A complete remodel of the bathroom including a barrier free shower stall is needed and in short order.
4.  We need to make sure Dale can exit the rear of the house and that there is a ramp off the back deck as well.  Dale really wants to be able to use his back deck as that is where his grille and smoker are located.  They both are passions of his that he needs to help normalize his life like it was before the amputation.
5.  Eventually we will need to either modify his truck with some hand controls  or something, so Dale can drive.  Dale needs to be able to have his independence and not have to rely on others to go somewhere.
6. A hand operated bicycle to give him the ability to exercise and help keep is upper body strength to be able use crutches or whatever other means of mobility he will use.
7.  Help pay for medical and other expenses.  It may take some time for Dale to get Disability from the Government, if he can even get it.  So some financial help is definitely important as well.

Thank you so much for considering to Donate to Dale's Force
Please share our fundraising campaign AND share it often!  The more YOU share on all your social networks the more YOU help us by getting Dale's story seen and the more people will be compelled to donate. 

So share, share, share and Thank You on behalf of Dale, Wendy, Lauren, Shelby, and Haley Davis as well Dale's Force!