Hand Controls for Javier's Van

My name is Javier Villa, I live in Douglasville, Georgia, the date was September 27, 2014. The day my life changed forever in a blink of an eye. I left that morning on my bike to a fund raiser for a friend and co-worker whom was just diagnosed with cancer that week.  I arrived around 8:15am and left around 8:45am, heading to my church to volunteer. We were scheduled to do a community outreach in Dallas, Georgia.  However, I would never make it to that event. I remember waking up in a cold, wet ditch. I was somehow able to reach in my pocket and remove my cell phone and get a call out to a friend of mine.  I told him I was in a ditch not sure of where I was but I was hurt pretty bad.  At that point my friend contacted my wife and my boss to inform them of what was going on.  My wife told them where I was headed and the direction that I should have been taking. So, my wife, Renee,  left work looking for me. My boss along with paramedics and state troopers came from opposite direction looking for me.  They went up and down Hwy 61 and could not find any skid marks or any sign of an accident. My wife called someone from our small group at New Seasons Church to inform them of what was going on and to have them pray with her. She left a message with a member of our small group. Five minutes later Sherry called her back they had gathered about 50 people from the neighborhood outreach. They all began to pray that they would find me and that I would be alright. Renee hung up the phone from talking with them. Renee received a phone call 2 minutes later from my boss Pat.  He informed her, that they had found me, and he wasn't sure how but I was alive. I was air lifted to Grady Hospital, where they began working to save my life. After extensive tests and examinations they  determined that I had 2 collapsed lungs, all my ribs where broken, my right arm was broken, my back was broken, I crushed my 6th, 7th and 8th vertebrates. I needed surgery to stabilize my spine but it couldn't been done until swelling went down. On October 2nd they were able to perform back surgery. After surgery the Doctor informed Renee that I would never walk again. I stayed in ICU at Grady for 10 days, on the 10th day I was transferred to the Sheppard Center for rehab. I arrived at the Sheppard Center at 5:15pm, all excited about this rehab thing. My wife and daughter left at 9:00pm thinking that I was stable. Unfortunately, at 9:30pm I was back in ICU. Only this time I was at a different Hospital. I was diagnosed with Aspiration Pneumonia, and some kind of unknown infection had attacked my lungs. Then I took a turn for the worse. My kidneys began to fail. My Heart stopped on 3 occasions I ended up in a comma for 17 days.  I stayed in the ICU at the Sheppard Center for 37 days. I was finally well enough to be moved to a regular room to start my rehab. I was unable to speak because my vocal cords were damaged when they inserted the ventilator. Two weeks later I had to have surgery on my Voice box. This surgery was successful and now I'm able to speak. My upper body is getting a little stronger. I know I have a long way to go with my recovery.

During my time at the Sheppard Center I was working hard on my rehab. My wife Renee began the overwhelming task of getting our home renovated and purchasing the various items that I would need in order to come home. We had over $30,000. in home renovations, we had to purchase a motorized wheelchair at $3,000., and a rehab chair for $1,700. Then we had to purchase a handicap van for $40,000.  in order for me to come home, and continue on with my life and rehab.

 I recently went to get my handicap drivers license and I passed the test. Thank You Jesus!  I'm one step closer in gaining my independence. We now have to pay for the handicap controls on steering wheel and lock down for my wheelchair to be added on the van. These items are very costly. We have two quotes, both around $5,000. As you might know our finance are very low right now. This is something that would really help me to be more independent, and feel more like a man. I would no longer have to depend on others to take me back and forth to my doctor's appointments and my rehab sessions.

I ask you to search your heart, and if you feel compelled to give to my needs I  would greatly appreciate your generosity.

 I do not wish this to happen to anyone, even my worst enemy. My whole life changed  in a blink of a eye. I was strong.  I worked out every day. I  had a great job. I played golf with my friends for fun. I enjoyed helping others every chance I got.  I still have a strong will. However, my body is no longer strong.  I would like to work. Unfortunately no one wants to hire a man with no legs. I would love to play a round of golf.  But those friends no longer come around, and I'm unable to play golf anyway , right. However, I will still  help others every chance I get. 

I'm not bitter. I will continue to praise God for saving my life that day. I have a wonderful wife whom I love very much. I am blessed with friends and family to pick me up when I get down.

I just have to remember Gods Not Done With Me Yet!

 

Peace Be With You!

Love Javier Villa