Eric (EZE) Fredricks - Back in the Game!
Donation protected
We need your help. Our brother, Eric, became a double leg amputee this past summer as a result of his ongoing battle with diabetes, infection, and bone hardware.
As a young man, Eric was an incredible athlete – especially in high-school basketball of which he was totally devoted. He often suffered from regular injuries to his ankles, but kept pushing on, never letting the team down. That’s the kind of guy he is.
However, after graduation, he learned his high school injuries were not so minor. He had reconstructive surgery in both ankles. By the time he was in his thirties, he also developed Type II Diabetes like so many others in our family history (our grandmother was legally blind from diabetes). Within a few short years of his diagnosis, those old high school injuries and subsequent reconstruction surgeries came back to haunt him. He started having infections – one right after the other – eventually loosing toes, then partial foot amputations, and by 2015, the infections became so bad, surgeons took off his right leg below the knee. Finally, in 2020, they had to do the same to his left leg.
Eric gave so much for his team in high school (and throughout his life), it’s time we, his team of family and friends, give back to him. He needs things like an adaptive car/van, a motorized wheelchair, prosthetics, etc. to get him back to the independent life he absolutely deserves.
Please help us get Eric “back in the game.”
From Eric:
Hi everybody! As you may guess from my sibling’s post, life for EZE has not been easy for many years. The immediate goal of my recent amputation is to end the pain and recurrent infections I’ve been experiencing, improving my quality of life day-to-day.
Despite my past hardships, I have continued to work as an independent contractor — transporting organ donations for the gift of life – my most fulfilling gig. One of the last jobs I did before my most recent amputation was delivering donor corneas. It’s a great feeling to know that I played a small role in somebody regaining their sight. It is in this mindset that I am asking for help in obtaining the necessary adaptive aids so that I can return to my life and livelihood.
Even though things have been difficult in the past, and I have a steep road to recovery ahead, I remain optimistic and committed to lead an active, productive life.
Much love to you all! Go Team!
As a young man, Eric was an incredible athlete – especially in high-school basketball of which he was totally devoted. He often suffered from regular injuries to his ankles, but kept pushing on, never letting the team down. That’s the kind of guy he is.
However, after graduation, he learned his high school injuries were not so minor. He had reconstructive surgery in both ankles. By the time he was in his thirties, he also developed Type II Diabetes like so many others in our family history (our grandmother was legally blind from diabetes). Within a few short years of his diagnosis, those old high school injuries and subsequent reconstruction surgeries came back to haunt him. He started having infections – one right after the other – eventually loosing toes, then partial foot amputations, and by 2015, the infections became so bad, surgeons took off his right leg below the knee. Finally, in 2020, they had to do the same to his left leg.
Eric gave so much for his team in high school (and throughout his life), it’s time we, his team of family and friends, give back to him. He needs things like an adaptive car/van, a motorized wheelchair, prosthetics, etc. to get him back to the independent life he absolutely deserves.
Please help us get Eric “back in the game.”
From Eric:
Hi everybody! As you may guess from my sibling’s post, life for EZE has not been easy for many years. The immediate goal of my recent amputation is to end the pain and recurrent infections I’ve been experiencing, improving my quality of life day-to-day.
Despite my past hardships, I have continued to work as an independent contractor — transporting organ donations for the gift of life – my most fulfilling gig. One of the last jobs I did before my most recent amputation was delivering donor corneas. It’s a great feeling to know that I played a small role in somebody regaining their sight. It is in this mindset that I am asking for help in obtaining the necessary adaptive aids so that I can return to my life and livelihood.
Even though things have been difficult in the past, and I have a steep road to recovery ahead, I remain optimistic and committed to lead an active, productive life.
Much love to you all! Go Team!
Co-organizers (2)
Linda Fredricks McKinley
Organizer
Madison, WI
Eric Fredricks
Beneficiary
Chris LoDuca
Co-organizer