Cody's Medical Fund
On the evening of July 16th, 2017 my little brother, Cody Gehring, 22, was a passenger in a horrific car accident that has left him paralyzed from the waist down. He spent days in ICU, weeks at UVA, and weeks at a rehabilitation facility. Though we are beyond blessed and fortunate to have him here with us, I can no longer deny the financial effects it's left on Cody and my family. The accident has left Cody with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and has cost my parents thousands of dollars in remodeling the basement of the family's home in order to make it wheelchair assessible, along with paying for other monthly medical expenses for Cody's day-to-day.
On top of it all, we just learned that my dad has herniated another disk in his back that has effected his ability to walk/work and will be having back surgery shortly and I know he fears the amount of time he'll need to take off of work to recover (he's a contractor and is the only source of income for the family).
Through all of this hardship, my family's strength amazes me and brings me to tears. Cody is a fighter and is determined to walk again. He's working hard daily in physical therapy, making huge strides in a short amount of time given the extent of his injury. He amazes us every day with his never ending work, wonderful spirit, sense of humor, and determination. My parents are givers. My father has spent his life volunteering time and money to those in need and is still doing so today though I know times are tough.
So though the goal amount set for this campaign isn't nearly enough to help Cody with the medical bills or pay my parents back for what's been spent due to the accident, it will help my family during this particular time of need. The funds raised will go toward assisting my brother in monthly medical expenses that my parents are currently paying out of pocket for and it will help aliviate some financial stress so that my dad can take the proper amount of time he needs in order to heal from his own surgery that he'll soon be having.
I never thought I'd be making one of these but I know my brother and my parents would never make one of these for themselves. I believe in the power of community and the beautiful nature of those who live within our community.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I think I can speak for the whole family when I say that your words of love and encouragement over the course of the past few months have not gone unheard and has gotten us through more than you know. We love you all.
