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We are creating this page for our brother (in law) David.
David was helping family members on Saturday, April 2, 2016 on our family farm when he experienced a life changing accident.
David is 38, 1 of the younger brothers who is a triplet, and was born with a birth defect of no fingers on his left hand. David is also a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He has struggled with addiction for many years and has been clean and sober for several months prior to the accident.
On the day of the accident, when David was smashed by 40 foot, wood, roof tresses he became paralyzed from the waist down. The Trauma Unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital diagnosed him quickly with L2 as a burst fracture and a severely broken ankle. David was taken to surgery as we the family waited. David was in surgery for 6 1/2 hours for his back and two days later he went back into a 2 1/2 hour surgery to repair his ankle.
Following the back surgery is when he and our family learned it is unlikely he would ever walk again. A fragment from the burst fracture severed most of the nerves in his back. As of today he is unable to control his legs but does feel pain. He is also showing signs that his bowels and bladder were affected by the paralysis he sustained in the accident.
He has a loving heart and for the past few weeks our family has heard stories from Davids friends about how he has helped them through good and bad times. Many people who care about David very deeply have come to visit him in the hospital. We have also read postings on Facebook to remind us all, of the type of person David is. We all are very thankful for the love and support that has been shown to David and our family.
If you know David you know he has determination and is stubborn. Although he doesn't have a left hand, that never stopped him from doing anything that anyone else could do. He has proved that over and over again in the past 38 years and we are seeing that same determination and stubbornness in him today as he struggles to get dressed or transfer himself from the bed to the wheel chair. Although we all know that he will master these new skills quickly we still see that same determination in his new lifestyle. We all hope that one day he will be able to walk but for the immediate future we need to remain realistic in his new lifestyle.
He is also determined to stay drug free. He is taking pain medication but as needed and he is fearful that he will come addicted to these pills.
Prior to the accident, David was employed as a professional tree climber for 10+ years during daylight hours and recently started working 3rd shift in the warehouse for a local clothing distributor. When he wasn't doing those two jobs, he was at the family farm working.
David is still in the hospital and we are hopeful that he will be transferred to a Rehabilitation Center this week that has a Spinal Cord Injury program where he will receive Physical and Occupational therapies as well as support and guidance in his new lifestyle.
Accidents come unexpectedly, that's why they are called accidents. For those who have been the victim of a life changing accident you know there can be very high costs due to medical expenses, travel, and in our case modifications that are going to need to be made to the home where David will be living when released from Rehab.
To help in this difficult time, the family has come together to raise money to help cover the expenses from the unfortunate and tragic farm accident.
David was helping family members on Saturday, April 2, 2016 on our family farm when he experienced a life changing accident.
David is 38, 1 of the younger brothers who is a triplet, and was born with a birth defect of no fingers on his left hand. David is also a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He has struggled with addiction for many years and has been clean and sober for several months prior to the accident.
On the day of the accident, when David was smashed by 40 foot, wood, roof tresses he became paralyzed from the waist down. The Trauma Unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital diagnosed him quickly with L2 as a burst fracture and a severely broken ankle. David was taken to surgery as we the family waited. David was in surgery for 6 1/2 hours for his back and two days later he went back into a 2 1/2 hour surgery to repair his ankle.
Following the back surgery is when he and our family learned it is unlikely he would ever walk again. A fragment from the burst fracture severed most of the nerves in his back. As of today he is unable to control his legs but does feel pain. He is also showing signs that his bowels and bladder were affected by the paralysis he sustained in the accident.
He has a loving heart and for the past few weeks our family has heard stories from Davids friends about how he has helped them through good and bad times. Many people who care about David very deeply have come to visit him in the hospital. We have also read postings on Facebook to remind us all, of the type of person David is. We all are very thankful for the love and support that has been shown to David and our family.
If you know David you know he has determination and is stubborn. Although he doesn't have a left hand, that never stopped him from doing anything that anyone else could do. He has proved that over and over again in the past 38 years and we are seeing that same determination and stubbornness in him today as he struggles to get dressed or transfer himself from the bed to the wheel chair. Although we all know that he will master these new skills quickly we still see that same determination in his new lifestyle. We all hope that one day he will be able to walk but for the immediate future we need to remain realistic in his new lifestyle.
He is also determined to stay drug free. He is taking pain medication but as needed and he is fearful that he will come addicted to these pills.
Prior to the accident, David was employed as a professional tree climber for 10+ years during daylight hours and recently started working 3rd shift in the warehouse for a local clothing distributor. When he wasn't doing those two jobs, he was at the family farm working.
David is still in the hospital and we are hopeful that he will be transferred to a Rehabilitation Center this week that has a Spinal Cord Injury program where he will receive Physical and Occupational therapies as well as support and guidance in his new lifestyle.
Accidents come unexpectedly, that's why they are called accidents. For those who have been the victim of a life changing accident you know there can be very high costs due to medical expenses, travel, and in our case modifications that are going to need to be made to the home where David will be living when released from Rehab.
To help in this difficult time, the family has come together to raise money to help cover the expenses from the unfortunate and tragic farm accident.