Brent Thurman Family

On the sunny morning of July 22nd it was typical day for Brent and Trisha Thurman but what we are about to share with you will move your hearts.

In Macomb Illinois Brent was at a work site getting ready to trim tree branches back off a roof. When he went to cut the branch he fell out of the lift that he was in and fell 10 feet to the ground. Landing on some tree branches he dislocated his back, fractured his T11 vertebrae and crushed his spine.

At that point he had lost all feelings in his legs and it felt as if a softball had been shoved into his back.

Fortunately he had two cousins at the work site who were able to stop the chainsaw that was still running and had fallen 6 inches from his head. The emergency crew arrived and stabilized Brent and rushed him to McDonough District Hospital requesting a life flight to transfer him to OSF Medical Center but due to storm paths he was transported by ambulance.

After departing MDH Brent knew that he had suffered enough damage that he would be scheduled for surgery upon arrival at OSF.

After evaluation at OSF, Brent was diagnosed as a complete spinal injury. This meant that he had to have surgery to fuse his T9-L1 vertebrae with screws and rods. It was during this surgery the surgeons confirmed that Brent would never walk again.

It has been a long journey for the Thurman family as they prepare and change their lifestyle. Brent has been a patient for 3 ½ weeks learning how to deal with this new disability. 

Brent (34) and Trisha (33) have three daughters Brooke (8) Lexi (6) and Aubrey (3) and now they are in temporary housing with family assistance and they prepare to locate a home that can be wheelchair accessible and wheelchair equipment to allow him to continue enjoying the outdoors. 

The financial struggles begin as all of these life changes occur. Could you please help us help them get back on their feet as they move forward with their new way of  life?

Thanks Friends of the Thurman's!