On the morning of October 28th, Michael was in a horrific car accident that changed Michael and Tricia’s lives in an instant. He suffered devastating injuries — his leg was crushed, breaking his femur, tibia, and fibula. He also broke ten ribs and cracked his sternum.

That first night, it was devastating for Tricia to learn that she couldn’t stay with Michael in the ICU. Then, early the next morning on her way to see him before surgery, she was rear-ended and pushed into another car. Thankfully, she wasn’t physically hurt, but her car was badly damaged, adding even more trauma to an already heartbreaking situation.

Michael was in critical care at Vanderbilt and is currently in a rehabilitation hospital, facing a long road to recovery that will include months of physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain his strength and mobility.

Like so many others, Michael and Tricia live a modest, comfortable life — they don’t go without, but they also don’t have savings or a cushion for something catastrophic like this. The out-of-pocket costs, co-pays, deductibles, and lost income are already overwhelming.

Tricia runs a small home-based business, and since the accident, her world has shifted to being by Michael’s side 24/7 as his advocate and caregiver. Her income has essentially stopped, and the financial strain is very real.

We have set up this GoFundMe on behalf of Michael and Tricia to help them through an incredibly difficult time.

Michael and Tricia are deeply grateful for the love, messages, thoughts, prayers, and visits they’ve already received — those gestures have kept them going through some of the hardest days of their lives. Any contribution, big or small, will help ease the burden of medical bills, travel to and from the hospital, home adjustments for accessibility, and daily living costs while Michael continues to heal.

Thank you from the bottom of their hearts and ours for your kindness, generosity, and support as they navigate this long journey toward recovery.

With love and gratitude,

Michael & Tricia’s Family