Chuck Fortson's Road To Recovery-
Donation protected
In one day your life can change.
On 06/02/2020 it did for Chuck. Chuck started that morning trimming the old oak tree in his front yard. Being no stranger to hard work, this was a task he always did himself. On a 20' ladder with a chainsaw Chuck cut the last branch. That last branch swung around and knocked the ladder out from underneath him. Chuck fell approximately 20 feet to the ground. Chuck was transported to Holmes Trauma Hospital in Melbourne Florida. Holmes is the closest trauma center to where the accident occurred. The injuries from the fall were many: shattered and not stable T12 vertebrae, 3 other fractured vertebrae including S2. A fractured clavicle near the sternum. 4 fractured ribs. Trauma to every vital organ in his body. Chuck had emergency 5 hour neurosurgery that night that lasted until early morning hours of 06/03/2020. T12 was removed and replaced with rods. Chuck spent the next 5 days in the ICU trauma unit, then was sent to a transition wing/room for the next 5 days. Chuck was transported to Brooks rehabilitation hospital in Jacksonville by ambulance on 06/11/2020. Brooks is an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility. As of today this is where Chuck is in his journey.
Chuck is a paraplegia, incomplete. Chuck can not walk, his disconnect starts at the hips down. Upon arriving at Brooks, Chuck could not even sit up. Chuck is able to sit up now with his brace. Chuck has worked hard and has small movement in his legs and feet. Chuck has no strength in his lower body, he must learn to walk again and gain back strength. His legs are like a infant's legs in strength. Chuck must have a TLSO brace on his torso any time he is not laying down. Spinal cord injury comes with great number of issues. You could never imagine unless it has happened to you or someone you love. Everyday new issues appear on his marathon journey.
After discharge from Brooks Hospital Acute Care, Chuck is aiming to stay in Jacksonville for spinal cord injury rehabilitation at Brooks outpatient rehabilitation in the neuro center. Brooks has the only spinal cord injury rehabilitation facility in the state of Florida that we are aware of, this is Chucks best chance to walk again. Staying in Jacksonville is definitely a hardship on this family in every way. Chuck is unable to participate in this process without a caregiver. From 06/02/2020, Chucks wife of 28 years left her job to enable Chuck to have his best chance, she is his full time caregiver. This family is unable to return to work for the unforeseeable future. As everyone knows life still continues to happen even when we are in a crisis. There are future issues that will arise that someone in this situation hasn't even thought about yet. The bills keep rolling in, expenses keep adding up. Medical equipment and expenses. Modifying the home to be able to fit a wheelchair. Transportation that is wheelchair friendly. The list is long.
Prior to 06/02/2020 Chuck was one of the hardest working, productive human beings ever. He lived his life working for everything he has and loving his small family. Chuck has never lived extravagantly, he lived extremely humble and never spent more than he made. This family was always thankful for having enough! What is happening today is not the life he planned for. Life changing accidents like Chucks are never to be planned for. Asking for help is something hard and new for this family. Just know that any help is appreciated more than words can say. Please share the link. Thank you.
On 06/02/2020 it did for Chuck. Chuck started that morning trimming the old oak tree in his front yard. Being no stranger to hard work, this was a task he always did himself. On a 20' ladder with a chainsaw Chuck cut the last branch. That last branch swung around and knocked the ladder out from underneath him. Chuck fell approximately 20 feet to the ground. Chuck was transported to Holmes Trauma Hospital in Melbourne Florida. Holmes is the closest trauma center to where the accident occurred. The injuries from the fall were many: shattered and not stable T12 vertebrae, 3 other fractured vertebrae including S2. A fractured clavicle near the sternum. 4 fractured ribs. Trauma to every vital organ in his body. Chuck had emergency 5 hour neurosurgery that night that lasted until early morning hours of 06/03/2020. T12 was removed and replaced with rods. Chuck spent the next 5 days in the ICU trauma unit, then was sent to a transition wing/room for the next 5 days. Chuck was transported to Brooks rehabilitation hospital in Jacksonville by ambulance on 06/11/2020. Brooks is an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility. As of today this is where Chuck is in his journey.
Chuck is a paraplegia, incomplete. Chuck can not walk, his disconnect starts at the hips down. Upon arriving at Brooks, Chuck could not even sit up. Chuck is able to sit up now with his brace. Chuck has worked hard and has small movement in his legs and feet. Chuck has no strength in his lower body, he must learn to walk again and gain back strength. His legs are like a infant's legs in strength. Chuck must have a TLSO brace on his torso any time he is not laying down. Spinal cord injury comes with great number of issues. You could never imagine unless it has happened to you or someone you love. Everyday new issues appear on his marathon journey.
After discharge from Brooks Hospital Acute Care, Chuck is aiming to stay in Jacksonville for spinal cord injury rehabilitation at Brooks outpatient rehabilitation in the neuro center. Brooks has the only spinal cord injury rehabilitation facility in the state of Florida that we are aware of, this is Chucks best chance to walk again. Staying in Jacksonville is definitely a hardship on this family in every way. Chuck is unable to participate in this process without a caregiver. From 06/02/2020, Chucks wife of 28 years left her job to enable Chuck to have his best chance, she is his full time caregiver. This family is unable to return to work for the unforeseeable future. As everyone knows life still continues to happen even when we are in a crisis. There are future issues that will arise that someone in this situation hasn't even thought about yet. The bills keep rolling in, expenses keep adding up. Medical equipment and expenses. Modifying the home to be able to fit a wheelchair. Transportation that is wheelchair friendly. The list is long.
Prior to 06/02/2020 Chuck was one of the hardest working, productive human beings ever. He lived his life working for everything he has and loving his small family. Chuck has never lived extravagantly, he lived extremely humble and never spent more than he made. This family was always thankful for having enough! What is happening today is not the life he planned for. Life changing accidents like Chucks are never to be planned for. Asking for help is something hard and new for this family. Just know that any help is appreciated more than words can say. Please share the link. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lindsey Bailer
Organizer
Sebastian, FL
Agnes Fortson
Beneficiary