Help Clayton heal: C2 quadriplegic artist needs urgent care

Keep Clayton Creating: A C2 quadriplegic artist needs urgent help

Dear Friends,

Our friend Clayton is 37, and after a fall last Spring, suffered a spinal cord injury on 4/5/24.

He was diagnosed complete quadriplegic [tetraplegia, C2 ASIA A (sensory ZPP C4)].

This means NO movement or sensation below the shoulder line and he will need 24/7 care indefinitely (though we pray for miracles).

I visited him for the first time 6 weeks ago in Southern California and it was heart-wrenching to see my vibrant, creative and talented young friend completely incapacitated, his body withered from his condition and lack of physical therapy.

It's been an arduous 11-month journey through multiple hospitals and congregate living situations across Los Angeles, CA. He is currently in another hospital for coronavirus after almost choking to death due to the mucus response and his weakened lung capacity from his paralyzation. Luckily he was able to overcome the virus, however once again he is laying in the hospital until insurance approves him to be transferred to a new congregate.

Clayton is also waiting for his insurance provider to confirm coverage of a specialty wheelchair (as seen in the photo below).

He has not left his room or been outdoors in nearly 6 months.

In addition, since leaving the hospital in September, he has sustained the reopening of a pressure ulcer that has advanced to Stage 4.

Currently, he has to be rotated every 2 hours, which means he gets no solid sleep cycles.

    •    Get Clayton a wheelchair NOW. His insurance might take 4-5 months to approve one. He cannot wait that long. He hasn’t been outside in 4 months

    •    Fund an advanced healing bed. His hospital bed is inadequate. He has a Stage 4 pressure wound—one of the worst complications for quadriplegics. This wound won’t heal without a proper medical bed.

    •    Provide physical therapy. If he doesn’t move, his muscles will atrophy even further.

Our goal is to raise enough money to fund at least 4-5 months of specialty bed and electric wheelchair rentals, PT mobility exercises and associated costs.

1. Advanced Wheelchair Rental ($6,000)

Joystick-controlled wheelchair (operated via mouth) to regain mobility.

• Cost: $1,500/month × 4 months.

• Impact: “Without this chair, Clayton can’t sit upright, collaborate, or create—your support ends his isolation.”

2. Medical-Grade Bed + PT ($10,000)

• Cost: $2,500/month × 4 months.

• Crisis: A stage 4 sacral/coccyx wound reopened due to inadequate bedding at his current facility.

• Solution: A pressure-relief bed proven to accelerate healing and weekly Physical Therapy.

3. Adaptive Computer System ($8,000–$10,000)

• Progress: Clayton already uses mouth sticks and voice control for iOS. New tech (released in 2024) will unlock advanced creative tools. Features: Eye-tracking design software, AI-assisted voice commands, and ergonomic mounts.

We are beyond appreciative for any donation to help Clayton manage the current situation while he waits for his insurer to pick up the costs.

With love, gratitude and metta,

Kevin & Nadine