Help Jim as he recovers and adapts

A recent medical emergency has left Jim, Heather, and their children, Jack and Remy, facing a different future than the family had ever imagined.

A few days after his birthday in October, Jim fell ill with what he thought was flu. Against all odds, he then developed sepsis and toxic shock syndrome which resulted in multiple organ failure. Jim was flown from Longmont to Denver (where he is now and will be for the near future). Jim is a fighter and he has battled back from these often fatal illnesses and is facing his future with determination and grit. However, Jim’s life has been significantly impacted by these illnesses.

Due to complications from his sepsis and toxic shock, Jim has had both of his legs amputated below the knee and both arms amputated mid forearm. Jim has many additional surgeries scheduled and he’s facing them with the spirit of making the most of the future he still has with his family. He is determined to heal and is putting in the hard work of waking his body back up and rebuilding his strength. He is tenacious and positive, and his sense of humor is finding a path forward in this most serious of circumstances (did you know that Heather is now “2 feet” taller than Jim?).

Heather has been back and forth by Jim’s side and being there for the kids. Her tireless support and dedication has been a rock for Jim’s recovery. She has been working very little at CU to ensure she is giving her attention to her family. Prior to falling ill, Jim had been doing contract work and the family has lost his income completely for the foreseeable future.

Jim will go home from the hospital as a quad amputee and will require a motorized wheelchair to get around until he can be healed enough for prosthetics. The family is going to need a specialized minivan that Jim can ride in and, in the future, potentially drive. Additionally, their home is a split-level and is going to need modifications to the primary living spaces for wheelchair access.

This is the first time the family has been open to financial contributions, but with the estimated cost of a minivan (minimum of $50,000), modifications to the house (estimated $30,000), and future prostheses (cost unknown), the financial burden is another added layer to the complications of dealing with Jim’s ongoing medical needs.

Thank you for any donations you can provide—whether they are financial or in thoughts and prayers. This family is so happy they have a future together and are going to fight to make it the best possible!