Minh’s Broken Back Recovery Fund
Donation protected
We were devastated when we heard the news of our dear friend Minh Do’s accident while he was traveling in Albania at the beginning of October. He set out on a solo hiking trek in the mountains like he has done many times before. After several hours on the trail, he experienced his biggest life changing moment. Rocks came out from under him, resulting in a disastrous fall off a cliff. His T12 vertebrae was shattered from landing on jagged rocks. Not only was the likelihood of being found, in his estimate, improbable, but he was initially paralzyed in one leg.
Unable to stand and not knowing if he would be found, Minh crawled over logs and rocky terrain for 20 hours using only his arms to propel himself forward. As dusk approached, he was unprepared for the hypothermic conditions as the temperature dropped. His right shoe got snagged on a branch, exposing his foot to frostbite. He tore up his arms, and had big open wounds on his knees as he maneuvered down the mountain. Minh was very lucky he did not have any wild animal encounters during his crawl for survival as bears, wolves and wild boars are all inhabitants to this region. Minutes after the accident, Minh recalls birds of prey circling overhead. He was discovered the next morning by a local. The young man quickly went to get assistance after a failed attempt to help Minh to his feet.
He was taken to the hospital where emergency spinal surgery was performed. The surgery on October 3rd was successful in decompressing and stabilizing his spine with titanium screws. Doctors said he was extremely fortunate to not have become permanently paralyzed. After several weeks in the Albanian hospital, Minh thought he was on the road to recovery. Still in excruciating pain and discomfort, he began his trip home to the US. After 3 long flights, he landed in New York City on October 23rd and headed straight to Mount Sinai Hospital. An MRI unfortunately revealed a loose bone fragment compressing his spinal cord. Another gut wrenching surgery was performed on October 25th to remove the fragment and to make repairs on the previous surgery.
Despite the setbacks, Minh is staying positive. His fortitude and endurance as a triathlete and avid marathoner have taught him to never give up. He felt destroyed after the accident left him unable to walk independently. The good news is that he is slowly rebuilding his life. Working tirelessly with the extraordinary physical therapists at Mount Sinai, he is relearning activities of daily living such as getting dressed and showering. He is regaining his mobility and is able to walk with the aid of a walker, climb stairs, and get in and out of bed with the assistance of others. Currently, he is categorized as disabled and is unable to work. His doctors say it can take 12-24 months to start to have some semblance of a normal life.
Minh, his family, and his friends are forever grateful for your support. It is a miracle that he is alive, and he counts each day as a blessing. We are looking to raise funds for his growing medical bills, living expenses, and to help him lace up his running shoes again. Thank you for contributing to his progress and success!
Unable to stand and not knowing if he would be found, Minh crawled over logs and rocky terrain for 20 hours using only his arms to propel himself forward. As dusk approached, he was unprepared for the hypothermic conditions as the temperature dropped. His right shoe got snagged on a branch, exposing his foot to frostbite. He tore up his arms, and had big open wounds on his knees as he maneuvered down the mountain. Minh was very lucky he did not have any wild animal encounters during his crawl for survival as bears, wolves and wild boars are all inhabitants to this region. Minutes after the accident, Minh recalls birds of prey circling overhead. He was discovered the next morning by a local. The young man quickly went to get assistance after a failed attempt to help Minh to his feet.
He was taken to the hospital where emergency spinal surgery was performed. The surgery on October 3rd was successful in decompressing and stabilizing his spine with titanium screws. Doctors said he was extremely fortunate to not have become permanently paralyzed. After several weeks in the Albanian hospital, Minh thought he was on the road to recovery. Still in excruciating pain and discomfort, he began his trip home to the US. After 3 long flights, he landed in New York City on October 23rd and headed straight to Mount Sinai Hospital. An MRI unfortunately revealed a loose bone fragment compressing his spinal cord. Another gut wrenching surgery was performed on October 25th to remove the fragment and to make repairs on the previous surgery.
Despite the setbacks, Minh is staying positive. His fortitude and endurance as a triathlete and avid marathoner have taught him to never give up. He felt destroyed after the accident left him unable to walk independently. The good news is that he is slowly rebuilding his life. Working tirelessly with the extraordinary physical therapists at Mount Sinai, he is relearning activities of daily living such as getting dressed and showering. He is regaining his mobility and is able to walk with the aid of a walker, climb stairs, and get in and out of bed with the assistance of others. Currently, he is categorized as disabled and is unable to work. His doctors say it can take 12-24 months to start to have some semblance of a normal life.
Minh, his family, and his friends are forever grateful for your support. It is a miracle that he is alive, and he counts each day as a blessing. We are looking to raise funds for his growing medical bills, living expenses, and to help him lace up his running shoes again. Thank you for contributing to his progress and success!
Organizer
Minh Do
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY