Help Max Walk Again After Skiing Accident

My name is Lys Johannson and I am trying to raise money for my brother Max.

Max came to the US from Germany to visit his family (sister and parents) when he hit a tree while skiing trying to avoid people around him. His first vertebra was shattered into pieces and he was flown right to the hospital, where he had hours of surgery. After not being able to feel or move his legs, time in intensive care, and rehab, he’s now released and back home starting outpatient physical therapy. This kind of spinal injury can take up to 18 months to recover (if ever fully). He’s able to walk again, mostly with a crutch and only for a limited amount of time. The sensation in his left leg might never fully come back, but we’re hoping that with enough exercises, the right medication, and lots of time, he’ll go back to normal.

All medical bills have been paid by his insurance up until last week. He got dropped by his international travel insurance due to the fact of being able to allegedly “come back home.” Since I (his sister) and our parents live in Idaho, he would have nobody who would be able to take care of him and provide everything he needs back in Germany.

These first 3-6 months are the most important for him to be able to make the most progress he can. A 10-hour plane ride with a switch of doctors and programs would not only slow his progress down, but it will have an immense negative effect on his recovery.

The amount of money I’m trying to raise for him here is an estimate for the next 2-3 months.

Any donations will help and get him a little step closer to hopefully getting back to normal.

Thanks to everybody who’s supporting him already through this difficult time! :)