Fund Garrett's Life-Changing Surgery

Hello, my name is Wendy. I am Garrett's mom. On September 6, 2023, Garrett dove into a swimming pool and broke his C5-C6 vertebrae. His spinal cord was compressed and significantly damaged. It has resulted in Garrett becoming a quadriplegic. He is paralyzed from the chest down. Garrett spent 13 days at UVA Hospital, then he was transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA where he received various therapies for over 3 months.

Before his accident, Garrett was a healthy young man. He was attending college and working at the local community theatre where he also participated in various musicals. As his mother, I have been actively pursuing treatments to help improve Garrett's quality of life. In my research, I have found studies from stem cell research to epidural stimulation. Unfortunately, every study I have reached out to there is always something to keep him from participating.

However, I have discovered a medical hospital in Mexico that works with a hospital in Thailand. They use a procedure called epidural stimulation. My sister and I traveled to the hospital in Mexico on June 7 to speak with the doctors and the therapists. While we were there, we met a young man who was paralyzed from his stomach down. He had not moved his legs since his accident. He had the epidural stimulation surgery. He was moving his legs, and he was trying to take steps while using parallel bars.

As a mother, I want to give Garrett every chance. Since this surgery is done in Mexico, we will have to pay it out of pocket. The surgery will involve the insertion of two epidural stimulation devices, one near the injury location and one in his lower back. He will also receive stem cell treatment while there. He will also receive physical therapy. They estimate Garrett will be there for about 50 days. His dad will be with him during his stay. The doctors said with therapy and Garrett working hard there is a possibility he could be walking in 3-5 years.

We would greatly appreciate any donation to help us get Garrett this procedure. We believe it will greatly improve the quality of his life by getting the muscles that are not working moving again.