Elisha Dillard
Donation protected
On June 23rd 2018, daily life for Elisha Dillard and his family changed dramatically when 22 year old Elisha was in a terrible car accident. He was immediately taken to the best trauma hospital in Dallas where the doctors discovered he had a severe spinal cord injury, requiring emergency surgery to stabilize his spine to prevent further damage. Along with that surgery, Elisha also had to endure tracheostomy surgery to help him breathe and the insertion of a feeding tube. He remained in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit for 5 weeks.
During these weeks the Dillard family prayed constantly and remained optimistic that Elisha would have a full recovery. With lots of flexibility, commitment and a strong sense of purpose, the family was able to spend every night and day with Elisha, providing him with the comfort and security he needed as his body, mind and spirit healed. They remained positive for him, offering smiles and encouragement, so that Elisha knew his family was there for him throughout this difficult and painful process.
Once stable, Elisha was moved to the 17th floor, the therapy floor, where he remained for the following 3 weeks. During his time in the therapy unit Elisha participated in speech, physical, and occupational therapy, preparing him for his new journey. The entire family also participated in these therapies, so they could all learn more about the new roles and responsibilities that would be needed to care for Elisha after his release from the hospital.
Elisha was recently released from the hospital with a diagnosis of quadriplegia and an incomplete spinal cord injury. This was one both a frightening and terrifying situation for Elisha and his family. Yet, Elisha is a strong young man, who is so willing to do what is needed to continue his recovery process. If he could do it, his family was also determined to find the strength to work through the challenges.
Day by day, step by step, everyone is now learning a new normal. It is the small things that are the most challenging - how to wheel Elisha into the bathroom when the doors are not wide enough, how to get the wheelchair into the house, as it was not built with a ramp. Elisha wants to be able to move around in his wheelchair as freely as possible, but he does not have the strength or coordination to move his manual wheelchair.
Elisha’s family is united and dedicated to developing the skills and mental strength to move forward. They will be relying on extended family and friends to help them through the difficult path ahead, but are already so grateful to so many people for helping Elisha survive. They are now going to do their best to help him thrive. Elisha and his family continue to live their truth and believe that by maintaining a strong faith, he will walk again and share his story.
Elisha’s story could be any of our story. This account was created on his behalf to allow anyone interested to offer support to him and his family as they build ramps, modify doorways, purchase medical equipment and make the changes necessary to help Elisha thrive. Please keep him, and his family, in your thoughts and prayers.
During these weeks the Dillard family prayed constantly and remained optimistic that Elisha would have a full recovery. With lots of flexibility, commitment and a strong sense of purpose, the family was able to spend every night and day with Elisha, providing him with the comfort and security he needed as his body, mind and spirit healed. They remained positive for him, offering smiles and encouragement, so that Elisha knew his family was there for him throughout this difficult and painful process.
Once stable, Elisha was moved to the 17th floor, the therapy floor, where he remained for the following 3 weeks. During his time in the therapy unit Elisha participated in speech, physical, and occupational therapy, preparing him for his new journey. The entire family also participated in these therapies, so they could all learn more about the new roles and responsibilities that would be needed to care for Elisha after his release from the hospital.
Elisha was recently released from the hospital with a diagnosis of quadriplegia and an incomplete spinal cord injury. This was one both a frightening and terrifying situation for Elisha and his family. Yet, Elisha is a strong young man, who is so willing to do what is needed to continue his recovery process. If he could do it, his family was also determined to find the strength to work through the challenges.
Day by day, step by step, everyone is now learning a new normal. It is the small things that are the most challenging - how to wheel Elisha into the bathroom when the doors are not wide enough, how to get the wheelchair into the house, as it was not built with a ramp. Elisha wants to be able to move around in his wheelchair as freely as possible, but he does not have the strength or coordination to move his manual wheelchair.
Elisha’s family is united and dedicated to developing the skills and mental strength to move forward. They will be relying on extended family and friends to help them through the difficult path ahead, but are already so grateful to so many people for helping Elisha survive. They are now going to do their best to help him thrive. Elisha and his family continue to live their truth and believe that by maintaining a strong faith, he will walk again and share his story.
Elisha’s story could be any of our story. This account was created on his behalf to allow anyone interested to offer support to him and his family as they build ramps, modify doorways, purchase medical equipment and make the changes necessary to help Elisha thrive. Please keep him, and his family, in your thoughts and prayers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Staci Hitzke
Organizer
Watertown, MA
Sandra Dillard
Beneficiary
