Help Chris Deckard! Paralyzed & Needs Surgery

I am writing on behalf of Chris Deckard, a great man that has been confined to a wheelchair for more than 30 years now. He is my close friend and part of my family. I’m asking for financial help for him because we have run out of options. Chris is a very proud and private man, who up to this point has NEVER asked for any help for himself.

As a Bloomington native, Chris has always been prideful about his hometown and being a Hoosier. He enjoys many things, but spending time with friends and family, attending sporting events, going to all types of races, and riding his Trike top the list. Those that know “Deckard” or “The Legend”, as he’s so fondly called by many, know he hasn’t always been confined to a wheelchair. For those that don’t know what happened to land him in that chair, allow me to tell the story…

In 1992 he was in an accident that paralyzed him from the waist down. While driving a company dump truck for his employer JB Salvage, a vehicle (uninsured driver) decided to dart in front of him, causing an inevitable crash. The irresponsible and uninsured driver thankfully made a full recovery, but that wasn’t the case for Chris. He would never feel his legs again. After a long and difficult emotional and physical recovery, he became accustomed to his wheelchair and new life. Even after his tragedy, he has always had a positive outlook and has been a pillar of strength for those of us that take our lives for granted. The accident and wheelchair only became obstacles to overcome but he overcame them the best he could… in time.

In the past year though, things have become increasingly difficult, some even impossible, which is why I’m asking for your help.

He needs surgeries to fix his shoulder his surgeon told him is severely damaged, and a torn bicep from all the wear and tear over the years. The injuries are not only because he can only use his upper body, but also because he hasn’t had a lot of the proper equipment to help him with his day-to-day life as he has needed. His mobility is to a point that if he does not have the surgeries he needs, he is bound to begin down a path of immobility completely. If you have ever known someone or had a loved one that became completely immobile, you know it can be the “straw that broke the camel’s back”, so to speak. The surgeries and the recovery will be insanely costly as you can imagine. We have helped him get set up with some services to assist with costs, but he needs far more than what will be covered. He will be down for at least 4-6 weeks. For Chris, being down means, the life of independence he has worked so hard to have will become solely reliant on others. This concept has never been in Chris's vocabulary because he feels that asking for help makes him a burden to others. His first surgery is scheduled for the end of this month. Hopefully, he will be able to come home after a few days in the hospital. He will have a personal nurse stay with him to provide home healthcare as much as possible, a physical therapist that will come into his home and some friends and family to help fill in gaps. After only being able to use his upper body and now only one arm, imagine how difficult his life has been.

Chris is so special and is admired by so many. He truly would give his last dollar or the shirt off his back to anyone in need of help. He NEVER complains about being in a wheelchair or how hard his life has been. He is always smiling, wants everyone else to be happy, and always puts himself last. He has been a part of helping so many people with their fundraisers when they’ve needed it, so now it’s our chance to repay the favor.

I know he will be upset with me for sharing his life story and struggles. Again, he is a proud and private man, but if this gets him the help he needs and deserves, it will be worth it. I am reaching out, asking, even begging anyone with a heart, to help us raise money for Chris. He truly needs and deserves it. All the funds will go directly to Chris for medical and monthly bills, the equipment he needs at his home, services will need, and hopefully a reliable and better-suited vehicle for his unique needs. I am hoping to help make this journey less stressful so he can concentrate on healing fully and can continue to live his long and happy life. (Maybe even forgive me).

Thank you to friends, family, and strangers, for any, and all of your help.

Note: JB Salvage and Chris have always remained close friends.