Going against every single fiber of my being, I am asking for help with costs of my fiance’s recovery of a devastating traumatic spinal cord injury. Following an elective, but necessary, cervical spinal decompression surgery, Kevin suffered a tragic complication called “White Cord Syndrome”. Because Kevin’s cervical spinal cord was so severely compressed, when the compression was relieved, the sudden increase in blood flow caused an injury to his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed. He has sensation, but is unable to move his hands and fingers, or his lower body. He can not walk, or sit up in bed, or even feed himself. He has been in ICU on potent IV blood pressure medication, and high dose steroids.

If you know Kevin, you know that he is an extremely active, physically fit person, who never sits idle. Even when he had to medically retire early from his 20 year profession as a Registered Cardiovascular Tech in the Cardiac Cath Lab, he went to the gym every day, and enjoys outdoor activities like biking and hiking. This is a sad, very difficult situation for him to be in, and it has taken away the big, bright smile of his. He is devastated, and so am I. He is my person. The other pea in the pod.

His surgeon believes because of Kevin’s physical fitness, that with intense and proper rehabilitation he may recover, at least partially, but it will be a long and difficult road. Kevin only just started receiving social security disability this year, and has not been receiving benefits long enough to qualify for Medicare. He only has a very limited ACA insurance policy, which leaves out a lot of coverage. It is unlikely his rehab will be covered, especially the continued care he will likely need following his 14 day stay in a dedicated Spine Trauma Rehab hospital, an hour from home.

To add to an already horrific situation, two weeks prior to his surgery, I was removed from the schedule at my per diem position in the cardiac cath lab, where I was working mostly full time hours, apparently no longer needed. Perhaps a blessing, as it has given me the time I needed to be there for Kevin, but it has caused a devastating financial loss to our household.

Kevin had plans for his early retirement. WE had plans. An avid Vegas Golden Knights Hockey fan, Kevin’s one and only thing on his “Bucket List” was to see the Knights play in all 32 hockey arenas in the US and Canada. We had planned to start checking off that list in December. On the top of that list were seeing the Knights play the Devils in his home state of New Jersey, with me and his hometown best friend, Larry; sporting a cowboy hat on Broadway in Nashville when the Knights play the Predators; getting to see Niagara Falls for the first time while in Buffalo for a Knights/Sabres game, and taking me to all his favorite parts of California when the Knights play all three California teams. My goal is to get him the rehab and care he needs, to bring the active, always cheesy-grinned, selfie taking Kevin back to me. My goal is to get him to all of those Knights games, able to stand on his own in the stands, and wave his arm baring a giant Knights tattoo screaming, “GO KNIGHTS GO”!

I don’t know what the total cost of recovery will be, but any donations received will be used to help cover Kevin’s Traumatic Spine Injury rehab, post rehab continued care and equipment, and to help cover costs of living expenses and transportation while I am unable to work to care for him. I am beyond grateful for any help to get Kevin the recovery he needs.

With love and appreciation,

Kevin's Fiance' Marie Schaller