Aiding John Drossel's Paralysis Journey

Our dad John Drossel was transported to St.Lukes Milwaukee Neuro ICU on December 16th after he lost all function in his legs, after being sent home in extreme pain from Aurora Sheboygan Hospital ER (4x) who stated dad was “just aging”. Neurosurgery/infectious Disease doctors at St.Lukes told him/us that he has a nasty infection in his spinal cord that ate away the T-9, T-10 & T-11 vertebrae which affected whole body function. Surgery would consist of a total lumbar replacement of his spine. Due to several factors doctors said this was extremely risky, didn’t believe he would be able to survive surgery, and if he did survive he would still be paralyzed. Our dad made the decision with our mom to fight the infection if he can, and know that he will be paralyzed from the rib cage down for the rest of his life.

Everyone who knows dad (John) knows he is the strong silent type, a military vet (34 years) and the most supportive, loving father, husband, grandfather, brother and friend. We are hopeful he can survive this and be able to do rehab and eventually come home where we and our mother will provide him the 24/7 hr care he will need for the rest of his life.

Our parents would never ask for financial help, but their list of needs is LONG. They are both retired and on a fixed income. Our mom is driving back and forth from Oostburg to Milwaukee, trying to keep up with regular bills and now a tremendous amount of medical bills, as well as needing a new vehicle that can accommodate our disabled father, as well as renovating their home of 30+ years or finding a new home that will allow our dad to have a wheelchair/lift/roll in shower etc.

We are all heartbroken but thankful he is still alive, and we feel all the love from everyone!

Please help us spread the word, and if you know of anyone that would donate time/expertise/materials/financial assistance to help get our dad home and comfortable please reach out to Amanda, January, Julie or Beth (Johns 4 daughters)