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Pastor, Responder & Servant with Crushed Spine

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20 October 2019 Update

INPATIENT REHABILITATION
Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital in Toms River, New Jersey was willing to work with CJ in spite of the unique and very abnormal lack of medical insurance coverage on his part. Although offered at a significant discount, the transfer and acceptance to Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital required up-front payment for the treatment.

The amount was $12,678.00.

As so many have given so freely and graciously, the GoFundMe campaign was getting close, but was not enough to cover this part of the overall need.

An anonymous donor took a HUGE gamble. They fronted the money for the in-patient rehab option at Encompass. This gesture and act is beyond words! They are not yet fully reimbursed.
More is still needed to meet this one specific part of the daily growing and mounting bills.

BILLS CONTINUE MOUNTING IN FREQUENCY AND COST
- Two hospitals.
- An ambulance transfer.
- Numerous medications.
- Travel, accommodation, and meal costs.
- Inpatient rehabilitation at Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital.
- Outpatient physical therapy sessions for four weeks consisting of three sessions per week.
- Continuing doctor appointments.
• Primary care physician
• Spinal orthopedic specialist
• Neurologist
- Follow up tests for comparison and evaluation. (X-rays, MRIs).

Amazed, humbled, and sometimes embarrassed about the whole situation AND being a helper who is usually advocating for, acting alongside of, helping to gather and provide resources for, and leveraging assets in favor of OTHERS, CJ is now the “helpee.” This is a major adjustment for him.

The financial obligations continue to mount. Your assistance – in any way – is requested because it’s needed. Please consider continuing to be on the team as the CJ Recovery Tour 2019 continues.

Please share this freely and widely. Thank you!

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First responders, family members, friends, pastors, church members, chaplains, disaster relief volunteers, peer support members, and all others who volunteer to serve others in time of need:
 
CJ Caufield needs our help.

Many of you around the nation know CJ Caufield. If you live in Mississippi you certainly know him. CJ has tirelessly dedicated his entire being to serve others in time of crisis.

I first met CJ before Katrina and found he was establishing a cadre of critical incident stress response team for first responders across the State of Mississippi.

When I say he serves others, here is a very brief bio on some of his service:

·         United Methodist Pastor of the Cleveland Charge
·         Co-founder of the Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support (LEAPS) in 2005 serving as Senior Chaplain and Secretary
·         Co-founder of Mississippi Crisis Response Network (MCRN) serving as president
·         Firefighter with the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department
·         Co-founder of the Mississippi Alliance to End Suicide (MAtES) serving as vice-president
·         Mississippi State Director for the National Police Suicide Foundation
·         State Advocate for National Fallen Firefighters Foundation: Everyone Goes Home
·         Mississippi State Coordinator for the International Conference of Police Chaplains
·         Board member: Mississippi Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD)
·         Board member: Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists (ATSS)

It is absolutely clear that CJ loves people and has dedicated his life to humble service to others. Except for his role as pastor, all of these others are volunteer.

While all of these are remarkable each to themselves, simply put, they don’t pay the bills.

On August 27, CJ was involved in a serious accident and suffered a broken back! Because of a previous injury, treatment for this has been complicated.

After two weeks, CJ still cannot stand without assistance, extreme pain, and difficulty and has not left the hospital. Needless to say, this means bills that few could pay, and certainly even fewer pastors and volunteers.

Unfortunately, this came at a time when he was without medical insurance.
 
The bills are already piling up. Hospital costs, doctor’s fees, transportation expenses, ongoing rehabilitation needs, special medical equipment, etc. His full recovery is expected to last from three to six months at this time.

I write this letter to plea for your generosity; to return a bit to CJ who has given so much to so many.

Anything you can give is greatly needed and appreciated. No amount is too small. If everyone gives the amount equivalent to what CJ has given others, we would be able to build another hospital!

Like most of you, I read these things and say, “ Yes, I need to give.” Or “I will do that tomorrow.”

If the devil doesn’t want you to do something he doesn’t say “Don’t do that.” He says “You can do that tomorrow.”  That’s how he wins.

If you feel a need to help while reading this, that is your call.

If you don’t then you may feel it later, or maybe you are called to help someone else. I don’t want to guilt you into doing something,

I just know that CJ needs help. Any amount given will be appreciated beyond words I could possibly write.

CJ has given his all to others.

Let’s say, “Thank you.”

Sincerely,
Tim Rutledge
Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support (LEAPS)
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $500 
    • 4 yrs
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Fundraising team (6)

Larry Coleman
Organizer
Madison, MS
Larry W Coleman Jr
Beneficiary
Emma Caufield
Team member
Patti Lynn
Team member
Karen Corliss
Team member
Tim Rutledge
Team member

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