Hello, my name is Crystal Batters and I appreciate you taking the time to read my story.

My husband, Dan Batters, is a fun-loving, hardworking husband, father, and grandfather. He loves spending time with his family, including his two sons, granddaughter, and beloved King Charles Cavalier, Opie. Dan enjoyed playing softball, and when his playing days were over, continued to be an adult softball umpire in his hometown of Anoka and Coon Rapids, still working games up until the middle of May when an unfortunate accident changed his life.

In May 2023, Dan fell and broke his neck while carrying groceries up the stairs of his split-level home. He suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury which involved surgery, followed by extensive therapy at a well-known hospital and spinal cord rehab program. Dan did well in his rehab and after a month was transferred to another facility to continue therapy. We were optimistic that with another month or so of therapy focusing on getting stronger, Dan would likely be able to go home using a walker.

In June 2023, on the first day at the new facility, Dan suffered another horrible fall while transferring, which caused another neck break and additional, more severe spinal cord damage. Emergency fusion surgery was needed to save Dan’s life. We were devastated that he would have to start all over again.

After several months of therapy, Dan has been unable to go home. Dan is still working very hard, but it has been a long difficult road to his recovery after his second fall. Costs to the entire family, emotionally, mentally, and most of all financially, have been huge. Publicly available transportation for handicap people is hard to get and Metro Mobility has boundaries and limitations that don’t allow Dan to easily get to doctor appointments or to visit family, etc.

This is why we are asking for your help. We are hoping to raise enough money to help us buy a used wheelchair accessible van as well as a lift that would be crucial for Dan to get into his home. Dan’s life has changed dramatically, but these two things would help make it more fulfilling by helping him get home to see his family. Any donation amount, kind words of support, or sharing his story with family and friends would mean the world to us. Thank you!

I would like to thank my sister, Wendi for managing this page for me. This allows me to focus on Dan's medical care in rehab.