HELP BRIAN WALK AGAIN

On March 25th of last year, Brian Dumas, a beloved husband and friend, suffered a catastrophic life-altering event. As he did several mornings a week, Brian was up early and went to the gym. At the end of his workout, he felt a little light-headed and sat down to let it pass. It did not pass. Instead, while sitting on the bench, he passed out and fell face-first onto the floor, breaking his nose and 3 ribs. But that wasn't the worst of it. When his face hit the floor, it snapped his head back, causing a severe spinal cord injury as a result of 2 fractures of C5 & C6 vertebrae in his neck. People at the gym immediately started CPR. He coded twice before EMS arrived. He was taken to the ER and then transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Trauma Ward. His wife, Shaun, knew something was terribly wrong when she woke up that morning to an empty house. Brian should have been home from the gym by then. She rushed to her phone, where her worst fears came true. She had numerous messages that her husband was taken to the ER at nearby Doctor's Hospital.

By the time Shaun arrived at the ER, Brian had undergone an MRI scan which confirmed he needed to be immediately transported to the trauma unit at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. I can’t imagine the horror seeing your husband a bloody mess with him telling you he can’t feel his legs. After 6 long, excruciating hours, Brian was out of surgery. 3 days before their 23rd wedding anniversary, Shaun and her daughter visited Brian in SMH’s ICU Trauma Floor where he stayed for three days. Brian was diagnosed as an incomplete quadriplegic. An incomplete spinal cord injury only partially severs the spinal cord allowing some signals to pass through the level of injury, where a complete spinal cord injury fully severs the spinal cord at the site of the injury.

This means that an incomplete spinal cord injury survivor might still retain some function and feeling below the site of the injury, whereas someone with a complete spinal cord injury would not have any feeling or function (because the link between the nervous system and the brain is completely severed).

After a year of ongoing medical treatment and therapy, Brian has shown incredible resilience and determination, but he still has a long road to recovery. He's been in therapy, and his therapists have recommended that he continue with Activity Based Therapy (ABT) if he is ever to walk again. The recommended ABT equipment includes an ET300 FEM Bike, which helps to simulate walking and improve the function of the lower extremities, and a sit-to-stand machine to practice standing in a safe environment. The cost of these items is $35,000 for the ET300 bike and $3600 for the sit-to-stand machine.

Along with the above equipment costs, there are the continuing costs of home health aides and exercise specialists to help with Brian's recovery and progress. For the first ten months since the accident, Brian and Shaun have been forced to cover these expenses out of their own pocket. They’ve learned a great lesson about how medical insurance carriers will do everything in their power to keep from paying the bills.

Despite their best efforts, the financial burden of their current situation is too much for Brian and his family to bear alone. That's why we are reaching out to you today to ask for your support. Your donation, no matter how big or small, can help make a real difference in Brian's life and support his recovery. All funds raised will go directly towards Brian's medical expenses, including the cost of the recommended equipment and ongoing care. Your generosity and support will help Brian and his family on their journey to healing and recovery.

If you are unable to make a donation, we understand and simply ask that you keep Brian in your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate your support in any form, whether it be financial or emotional.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

With love and gratitude,

Angela Davis