Brian Claffey now paralyzed-Please help
Donation protected
Brian has suffered a horrific accident breaking 8 ribs, 6 vertebrae and has suffered permanent nerve damage to his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. This is not only challenging to him physically but also emotionally, mentally and financially. It is hard to know what his greatest need is right now. However, one of his most immediate and urgent needs are financial. He has lost his only source of income because of this tragedy and has totally exhausted what little savings he had.
Brian needs all the help possible. Outside of his family, friends and community he will have to wait in hopes of SSI, Medicaid and any other compensation that might be available for him to come through. He needs help immediately in day to day living expenses and the acquiring of equipment and supplies he must have now. He also needs help in finding and paying for a place to live as the apartment he is renting is not set up to accommodate the wheelchair and other equipment without modifications.
There are other ways you can help him in addition to cash donations, please read to end for some tangible ways you may be able to assist or take a moment and share this request within your circles to help us reach a larger number of folks who may be able to help.
Even small donations of $5, $10, $25 will go a long way in helping him meet his needs for living expenses in the next 3-6 months – and if you are able to donate more, that is always appreciated too!
Brian born and raised in Chicago and moved with his parents when they retired to Ireland, their native land. He has lived in both the US and Ireland. He is an incredibly talented artist and one of his favorite ways of expressing this was chainsaw carving. Returning to the US this summer he took a job with a construction company and 2 weeks into this job he had this horrible accident.
On July 23, 2020 Brian fell 25 feet to the ground and landed flat on his back. He was immediately taken to Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce, Florida and after a quick Cat Scan and MRI was rushed to the operating room. He had broken 8 ribs and 6 vertebrae – T12, L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5. L5 completely disintegrated and the fragments had to be surgically removed. During surgery they also had to put in numerous rods, screws and plates to strengthen his spine. As a result of this injury he suffered permanent nerve damage to the spinal cord, is paralyzed from the waist down and was told that he will likely never walk again.
For an active 42-year-old man this is a hard road ahead to face but Brian is doing what he can to maintain a positive outlook and is going to do everything he can to lead an independent and productive life. He will need a lot of continued therapy to gain long term independence and function.
Currently he is in danger of losing his apartment as he is unable to pay the rent. While his landlord is considering letting him make some modifications to the apartment to accommodate his wheelchair and equipment, he does need to be able to pay his rent regularly and be able to purchase the equipment needed to modify the apartment or find some other living arrangement.
Brian is in the process of applying for and getting set up with SSI, Disability, Medicaid and any workers compensation or other compensation he may qualify for but it is a process that may take a few months at least and in the meantime, he is getting close to being released from the hospital and needs help right now to be able to have a safe place to go.
Funds donated for his immediate use will go to pay rent and purchase equipment for his apartment such as those in his list below.
1) Mobility devices – wheelchair, portable ramps to get over steps and curbs
2) Hospital Bed – with a trapeze to enable him to lift himself in and out of bed
3) Transfer Equipment – transfer board, lifts, benches
4) Self care equipment – catheters, diapers, shower bench, commode, dressing stick and reaching devices
5) Rent at $800 a month
We will continue to update this list and the costs as Brian is able to acquire equipment and see what needs arise for his day-to-day living.
Are you unable to donate cash right now?
If you are in the Port St Lucie area, could you look over his list and check the local thrift shops, garage and estate sales and perhaps find him some deals on used items he may need?
Or, could you put aside some single serving dinners to take over and put in his freezer for him?
He may also need typical everyday items such as groceries, household supplies, easy to put on clothing and such. We will link to an Amazon Wish List soon to help facilitate anyone being able to help him with these items.
Are you aware of any local or nationwide support groups, foundations or other sources of help for coping with injuries like this and could put him in touch with others who may be able to help and support him?
And more than anything – would you please keep Brian in your thoughts and prayers as he heads down this road and send him an encouraging text or email as you think of him? His email address is [email redacted] and he is on Facebook at Brian Claffey
Would you please take a moment and share this fundraiser on your own Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other circles you are connected with so we can spread the word further and allow others to help Brian out as well?
Even small donations of $5, $10, $25 will go a long way in helping us meet his goals for living expenses in the next 3-6 months – and if you are able to donate more, that is always appreciated too!
This page is being run by Brian’s sister-in-law, Jen and additional questions can be sent privately to [email redacted]
Brian needs all the help possible. Outside of his family, friends and community he will have to wait in hopes of SSI, Medicaid and any other compensation that might be available for him to come through. He needs help immediately in day to day living expenses and the acquiring of equipment and supplies he must have now. He also needs help in finding and paying for a place to live as the apartment he is renting is not set up to accommodate the wheelchair and other equipment without modifications.
There are other ways you can help him in addition to cash donations, please read to end for some tangible ways you may be able to assist or take a moment and share this request within your circles to help us reach a larger number of folks who may be able to help.
Even small donations of $5, $10, $25 will go a long way in helping him meet his needs for living expenses in the next 3-6 months – and if you are able to donate more, that is always appreciated too!
Brian born and raised in Chicago and moved with his parents when they retired to Ireland, their native land. He has lived in both the US and Ireland. He is an incredibly talented artist and one of his favorite ways of expressing this was chainsaw carving. Returning to the US this summer he took a job with a construction company and 2 weeks into this job he had this horrible accident.
On July 23, 2020 Brian fell 25 feet to the ground and landed flat on his back. He was immediately taken to Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce, Florida and after a quick Cat Scan and MRI was rushed to the operating room. He had broken 8 ribs and 6 vertebrae – T12, L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5. L5 completely disintegrated and the fragments had to be surgically removed. During surgery they also had to put in numerous rods, screws and plates to strengthen his spine. As a result of this injury he suffered permanent nerve damage to the spinal cord, is paralyzed from the waist down and was told that he will likely never walk again.
For an active 42-year-old man this is a hard road ahead to face but Brian is doing what he can to maintain a positive outlook and is going to do everything he can to lead an independent and productive life. He will need a lot of continued therapy to gain long term independence and function.
Currently he is in danger of losing his apartment as he is unable to pay the rent. While his landlord is considering letting him make some modifications to the apartment to accommodate his wheelchair and equipment, he does need to be able to pay his rent regularly and be able to purchase the equipment needed to modify the apartment or find some other living arrangement.
Brian is in the process of applying for and getting set up with SSI, Disability, Medicaid and any workers compensation or other compensation he may qualify for but it is a process that may take a few months at least and in the meantime, he is getting close to being released from the hospital and needs help right now to be able to have a safe place to go.
Funds donated for his immediate use will go to pay rent and purchase equipment for his apartment such as those in his list below.
1) Mobility devices – wheelchair, portable ramps to get over steps and curbs
2) Hospital Bed – with a trapeze to enable him to lift himself in and out of bed
3) Transfer Equipment – transfer board, lifts, benches
4) Self care equipment – catheters, diapers, shower bench, commode, dressing stick and reaching devices
5) Rent at $800 a month
We will continue to update this list and the costs as Brian is able to acquire equipment and see what needs arise for his day-to-day living.
Are you unable to donate cash right now?
If you are in the Port St Lucie area, could you look over his list and check the local thrift shops, garage and estate sales and perhaps find him some deals on used items he may need?
Or, could you put aside some single serving dinners to take over and put in his freezer for him?
He may also need typical everyday items such as groceries, household supplies, easy to put on clothing and such. We will link to an Amazon Wish List soon to help facilitate anyone being able to help him with these items.
Are you aware of any local or nationwide support groups, foundations or other sources of help for coping with injuries like this and could put him in touch with others who may be able to help and support him?
And more than anything – would you please keep Brian in your thoughts and prayers as he heads down this road and send him an encouraging text or email as you think of him? His email address is [email redacted] and he is on Facebook at Brian Claffey
Would you please take a moment and share this fundraiser on your own Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other circles you are connected with so we can spread the word further and allow others to help Brian out as well?
Even small donations of $5, $10, $25 will go a long way in helping us meet his goals for living expenses in the next 3-6 months – and if you are able to donate more, that is always appreciated too!
This page is being run by Brian’s sister-in-law, Jen and additional questions can be sent privately to [email redacted]
Organizer
Jennifer McLaimtaig
Organizer
Port Charlotte, FL