Help Evan Get Back On His Feet
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Evan’s Story
This past December, Evan went to the hospital to be examined after experiencing intense pain while walking, sitting or during any strenuous activity. After a brief analysis, the doctor diagnosed him with a pinched nerve and prescribed him various medications for pain relief. The Saturday before Christmas, Evan attempted to stand after working at his desk and fell over having lost all mobility in his legs. Thankfully his dad had been visiting and heard the collapse from the floor below. Evan’s dad then took him home to help care for him, believing he just needed some uninterrupted bed rest to start getting better. On Christmas Eve, Evan’s legs grew cold and numb. Realizing that the situation was much more severe than initially diagnosed, Evan was immediately driven to the hospital by his parents. That evening he was admitted into a third ER, this time at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland. At this time, he was given an MRI which revealed a herniated disc between his L3, L4, and L5 which was the underlying cause of the pressure on the nerve. The medical term is Cauda Equina Syndrome, which is a horse tail-like grouping of spinal nerves, that when compressed, can cause lasting damage leading to incontinence and possibly permanent paralysis of the legs. Due to the severity, the orthopedic surgeon was called in early the next morning for an emergency surgery on Christmas day. Even after a successful two and a half hour surgery, Evan was still unable to control or support his weight with his legs.
Evan's Recovery
On New Year's day, Evan was transported to NRH, a rehabilitation center in Washington DC, where he began to undergo daily physical therapy. With the help of his great team of therapists, Evan’s leg strength began to rebuild. Unfortunately, everything was not uphill from there. During the second week of rehab, a fever struck Evan and intense pain was throughout his right calf. Once again he was taken to the ER where after six hours they discovered that a blood clot had formed. This was only one day away from his 30th birthday. After diagnosis, Evan was returned to rehab now with added precautions as well as additional medications and injections to treat the clot.
As more strength returned, Evan underwent STEM therapy which was used to stimulate his leg muscles through mild electrical pulses. These tests proved successful in his right leg by showing an increase of mobility in his ankle, however, the left foot continued to be unresponsive. Because of the loss of control, Evan trained with leg braces which helped with improving his gait. Over time, he graduated from using a walker to crutches which offers less dependability but requires more focus. It was determined that once he is able to care for himself that he would be released to his home. Knowing that his time in rehab was coming to a close, Evan and his team of therapists trained on how to navigate in real world situations and activities. On January 25, Evan was released from rehab on crutches without full mobility in his left leg. Now at home, despite the difficulties, he is determined to achieve a full recovery and return to his art and design business. Evan continues to receive structured physical therapy roughly twice a week since his release.
Need for Funds
As of today, Evan’s journey is not over. Continuous therapy is still required and accommodations are necessary due to his current lack of mobility. Evan is an independent artist and designer who runs his own company. Since the time during surgery and rehab, Evan has not been able to fulfill his business commitments, bring in income or cover the growing expenses due to his absence. Since he is still working to get back on his feet, without the ability to be fully functional in his duties, he is unable to bring in any income at this time. With his current mobility, he is also restricted with transportation and he can not meet his previously set deadlines or make future appointments for some time into the future. We are asking for donations that will go towards living expenses such as rent/utilities, groceries, and travel expenses. Currently he is going through some big changes, and while he has an abundance of emotional support and prayers from loved ones, there is only so much that we can do. Evan is self-employed but, unfortunately, due to this procedure his output is limited, his bills are piling up, and this process has been financially stressful. We would truly appreciate every dollar that is donated.
Looking to the Future
Now that Evan is at his home, his primary focus is on his health. Recovery is a daily activity that, if ignored, may become more difficult to achieve if delayed. While his mobility is limited, his strengths are not based on his legs. Evan’s business, Glass Of Water Art, has a full range of products and design services that can be fulfilled. Logo and product (merchandise) design as well as painting commissions are only a few of the services available through Glass Of Water Art. Please visit GlassOfWaterArt.com
As of January 9th, Evan has been in business for 5 years. As summer nears, festivals are the choice opportunity that has helped sustain Glass Of Water Art. This May, Evan is scheduled to attend a business conference in Atlanta, Georgia where he will both provide services for its facilitators as well as learn to grow his brand and business. Later that month, he will be speaking at a t-shirt convention in Washington DC about his business, art, and passion.
A Word From Evan
God did not bring me through this to not make this public. He is not done using me and I know that He can not use what I went through if I keep it a secret. I believe that this has not been only a life change physically but also an alteration in my character and my faith. It’s not about perfection but progression. My healing is not from my efforts but from the Lord and I allow Him to use my legs as I continue to serve Him and bring impact for His Kingdom. For the Lord, He is God. As for your donation, I'm not looking for a handout but for an investment in Evan Johnson. To believe and help me grow as I heal. Thank you all.
This past December, Evan went to the hospital to be examined after experiencing intense pain while walking, sitting or during any strenuous activity. After a brief analysis, the doctor diagnosed him with a pinched nerve and prescribed him various medications for pain relief. The Saturday before Christmas, Evan attempted to stand after working at his desk and fell over having lost all mobility in his legs. Thankfully his dad had been visiting and heard the collapse from the floor below. Evan’s dad then took him home to help care for him, believing he just needed some uninterrupted bed rest to start getting better. On Christmas Eve, Evan’s legs grew cold and numb. Realizing that the situation was much more severe than initially diagnosed, Evan was immediately driven to the hospital by his parents. That evening he was admitted into a third ER, this time at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland. At this time, he was given an MRI which revealed a herniated disc between his L3, L4, and L5 which was the underlying cause of the pressure on the nerve. The medical term is Cauda Equina Syndrome, which is a horse tail-like grouping of spinal nerves, that when compressed, can cause lasting damage leading to incontinence and possibly permanent paralysis of the legs. Due to the severity, the orthopedic surgeon was called in early the next morning for an emergency surgery on Christmas day. Even after a successful two and a half hour surgery, Evan was still unable to control or support his weight with his legs.
Evan's Recovery
On New Year's day, Evan was transported to NRH, a rehabilitation center in Washington DC, where he began to undergo daily physical therapy. With the help of his great team of therapists, Evan’s leg strength began to rebuild. Unfortunately, everything was not uphill from there. During the second week of rehab, a fever struck Evan and intense pain was throughout his right calf. Once again he was taken to the ER where after six hours they discovered that a blood clot had formed. This was only one day away from his 30th birthday. After diagnosis, Evan was returned to rehab now with added precautions as well as additional medications and injections to treat the clot.
As more strength returned, Evan underwent STEM therapy which was used to stimulate his leg muscles through mild electrical pulses. These tests proved successful in his right leg by showing an increase of mobility in his ankle, however, the left foot continued to be unresponsive. Because of the loss of control, Evan trained with leg braces which helped with improving his gait. Over time, he graduated from using a walker to crutches which offers less dependability but requires more focus. It was determined that once he is able to care for himself that he would be released to his home. Knowing that his time in rehab was coming to a close, Evan and his team of therapists trained on how to navigate in real world situations and activities. On January 25, Evan was released from rehab on crutches without full mobility in his left leg. Now at home, despite the difficulties, he is determined to achieve a full recovery and return to his art and design business. Evan continues to receive structured physical therapy roughly twice a week since his release.
Need for Funds
As of today, Evan’s journey is not over. Continuous therapy is still required and accommodations are necessary due to his current lack of mobility. Evan is an independent artist and designer who runs his own company. Since the time during surgery and rehab, Evan has not been able to fulfill his business commitments, bring in income or cover the growing expenses due to his absence. Since he is still working to get back on his feet, without the ability to be fully functional in his duties, he is unable to bring in any income at this time. With his current mobility, he is also restricted with transportation and he can not meet his previously set deadlines or make future appointments for some time into the future. We are asking for donations that will go towards living expenses such as rent/utilities, groceries, and travel expenses. Currently he is going through some big changes, and while he has an abundance of emotional support and prayers from loved ones, there is only so much that we can do. Evan is self-employed but, unfortunately, due to this procedure his output is limited, his bills are piling up, and this process has been financially stressful. We would truly appreciate every dollar that is donated.
Looking to the Future
Now that Evan is at his home, his primary focus is on his health. Recovery is a daily activity that, if ignored, may become more difficult to achieve if delayed. While his mobility is limited, his strengths are not based on his legs. Evan’s business, Glass Of Water Art, has a full range of products and design services that can be fulfilled. Logo and product (merchandise) design as well as painting commissions are only a few of the services available through Glass Of Water Art. Please visit GlassOfWaterArt.com
As of January 9th, Evan has been in business for 5 years. As summer nears, festivals are the choice opportunity that has helped sustain Glass Of Water Art. This May, Evan is scheduled to attend a business conference in Atlanta, Georgia where he will both provide services for its facilitators as well as learn to grow his brand and business. Later that month, he will be speaking at a t-shirt convention in Washington DC about his business, art, and passion.
A Word From Evan
God did not bring me through this to not make this public. He is not done using me and I know that He can not use what I went through if I keep it a secret. I believe that this has not been only a life change physically but also an alteration in my character and my faith. It’s not about perfection but progression. My healing is not from my efforts but from the Lord and I allow Him to use my legs as I continue to serve Him and bring impact for His Kingdom. For the Lord, He is God. As for your donation, I'm not looking for a handout but for an investment in Evan Johnson. To believe and help me grow as I heal. Thank you all.
Organizer
Evan Johnson
Organizer
East Riverdale, MD