Chris Leonard Recovery Fund
Donation protected
On the fateful evening of Thursday May 23 2019, our beloved friend and colleague Chris Leonard was swimming off the shore of Cancun during a vacation celebrating his 40th birthday. He was sucked under water by a riptide, slammed into the ocean floor. Chris was found face down in the water & unable to roll over due to the injury, rendering the loss of movement in the legs and hands. In addition, a copious amount of water into the lungs at the time of the accident. He was rescued from drowning by his partner Jeremy Stewart & new found friends.
Chris was rushed to the ER in Cancun & after a litany of MRI's underwent a 6 hour surgery to remove a fractured C5 vertebrae at the base of the neck, replaced with a metal box, fused to the upper & lower vertebrae. Shortly thereafter he developed a high fever - after chest x-rays it was discovered Chris developed pneumonia due to the water ingested into the lungs at the time of the accident. After a few serious & precarious days of low oxygen levels with fluid in the lungs, the pneumonia improved allowing the neurology to take precedence.
The Chris we all know and love is persevering: eye rolling & specializing in sarcasm even through the face of tragedy. Despite his condition, Chris has no qualms telling the doctors exactly what's on his mind!
At this time, Chris is unable to move his legs and hands. As the swelling in the spinal cord subsides, we will learn much more about his paralysis. Doctors are non-committal if Chris will even be able to walk again.
Where is Chris right now you may ask? He's still in Cancun. Medical transport back to the states for continuing long-term treatment is priority number 1. His oxygen levels have been cleared for transport & the neurologist have referred Chris to Mount Sinai Hospital on the Upper East Side of Manhattan for immediate ICU attention and long term care. His partner Jeremy has been by his side 24/7 on the phone with the insurance company & air ambulance transfer companies obtaining very specific referrals critical for the battle with the insurance companies in the coming weeks and months ahead. His friends traveling to celebrate his 40th birthday are visiting as frequently as possible.
We are all feeling optimistic Chris will make a miraculous recovery, but this won't happen overnight. It may take up to 12 months of physical rehabilitation with many months of intensive in-hospital residency for Chris to even regain the ability to walk again. Both Chris & Jeremy will be taking long term disability from work to focus full time on Chris' recovery.
Chris is a beloved friend and colleague to us all who can always put a smile on your face, no matter what. He has dedicated many years to the architecture, design & planning firm Gensler & gives 100% to everything he does.
We Chris' family & friends, have set up this page to help alleviate the financial burden on Chris, Jeremy & the family and assist in getting the essentials such as housing, rehabilitation, medical equipment and a living expenses to name just a few.
We thank you in advance for your help and kindness.
With warmest regards,
Chris Leonard Recovery Fund Team
Chris was rushed to the ER in Cancun & after a litany of MRI's underwent a 6 hour surgery to remove a fractured C5 vertebrae at the base of the neck, replaced with a metal box, fused to the upper & lower vertebrae. Shortly thereafter he developed a high fever - after chest x-rays it was discovered Chris developed pneumonia due to the water ingested into the lungs at the time of the accident. After a few serious & precarious days of low oxygen levels with fluid in the lungs, the pneumonia improved allowing the neurology to take precedence.
The Chris we all know and love is persevering: eye rolling & specializing in sarcasm even through the face of tragedy. Despite his condition, Chris has no qualms telling the doctors exactly what's on his mind!
At this time, Chris is unable to move his legs and hands. As the swelling in the spinal cord subsides, we will learn much more about his paralysis. Doctors are non-committal if Chris will even be able to walk again.
Where is Chris right now you may ask? He's still in Cancun. Medical transport back to the states for continuing long-term treatment is priority number 1. His oxygen levels have been cleared for transport & the neurologist have referred Chris to Mount Sinai Hospital on the Upper East Side of Manhattan for immediate ICU attention and long term care. His partner Jeremy has been by his side 24/7 on the phone with the insurance company & air ambulance transfer companies obtaining very specific referrals critical for the battle with the insurance companies in the coming weeks and months ahead. His friends traveling to celebrate his 40th birthday are visiting as frequently as possible.
We are all feeling optimistic Chris will make a miraculous recovery, but this won't happen overnight. It may take up to 12 months of physical rehabilitation with many months of intensive in-hospital residency for Chris to even regain the ability to walk again. Both Chris & Jeremy will be taking long term disability from work to focus full time on Chris' recovery.
Chris is a beloved friend and colleague to us all who can always put a smile on your face, no matter what. He has dedicated many years to the architecture, design & planning firm Gensler & gives 100% to everything he does.
We Chris' family & friends, have set up this page to help alleviate the financial burden on Chris, Jeremy & the family and assist in getting the essentials such as housing, rehabilitation, medical equipment and a living expenses to name just a few.
We thank you in advance for your help and kindness.
With warmest regards,
Chris Leonard Recovery Fund Team
Organizer
Jeremy Stewart
Organizer
Astoria, NY