New Hip - Hop on, Pop, Karl Westbrook!
Donation protected
This is for my Dad, or as I call him, Papa. To him, I am one of his four children, who are Nigel Westbrook, Shari Twamley, myself Sierra Westbrook and Taylor Westbrook. He was always fond of reading to us as we grew up, so I've labeled this as Hip-Hop on Pop, after one of our favorite Dr. Seuss books, "Hop on Pop."
Seven years ago this week, he was struck by a semi truck while riding his bike home from work. He was thrown over sixty feet in an accident that landed him in Intermountain Medical Center for three weeks, with a broken right hip, a fractured pelvis, a ruptured kidney, cranial fractures, and five broken ribs.
The last line of the police report read: "I don't know how this guy lived." But he's my Papa. The accident did not break his spirit. Up until recently, he was back riding his bike 20, 30 sometimes 50 miles a day.
Now however, the damaged hip is breaking down. He's lost about 1 1/2 inches of leg length as the cartilage in the joint and the wearing down of supportive tissues has lead to Advanced Arthritis of the right hip. This severely hampers his ability to walk. He walks with an arm crutch but, there is a danger that he could lose the leg as there may be a loss of blood supply to areas in the joint. The bottom line is that he needs to have the hip replaced.
Working with a team of doctors, my dad is prepping for surgery later this summer, probably June or July. The operation itself, including the doctors fees, anesthesia and facilities use is $45,652. Under insurance the net cost is $24,000 by contract. Of the bill, Papa is responsible for the deductible which is $6340.78 ($6750 less $409.22 which he has already paid in).
Additionally, there will be a recovery time, anywhere from a few months to perhaps a year, when he will need support for his basic needs while he recovers. We are hoping he'll rebound quickly (he'd rather be riding his bike) but we're looking to cover about $1500 a month towards his basic needs for an estimated six months full recovery time. So we are hoping to raise the sum of $15,000.
My Papa has served in the community in various ways, helping through volunteering and working for nonprofits supporting housing and fighting homelessness, healthcare for the homeless, youth development organizations, organic gardening and individuals who called him friend.
We are hoping and praying, that those of you who know my Papa, Karl Westbrook, those who call him friend or family, will give what you can to help him in his time of need.
No amount is too small (or too big). If you cannot donate, please share this page with your family and friends. Thank you all.
Seven years ago this week, he was struck by a semi truck while riding his bike home from work. He was thrown over sixty feet in an accident that landed him in Intermountain Medical Center for three weeks, with a broken right hip, a fractured pelvis, a ruptured kidney, cranial fractures, and five broken ribs.
The last line of the police report read: "I don't know how this guy lived." But he's my Papa. The accident did not break his spirit. Up until recently, he was back riding his bike 20, 30 sometimes 50 miles a day.
Now however, the damaged hip is breaking down. He's lost about 1 1/2 inches of leg length as the cartilage in the joint and the wearing down of supportive tissues has lead to Advanced Arthritis of the right hip. This severely hampers his ability to walk. He walks with an arm crutch but, there is a danger that he could lose the leg as there may be a loss of blood supply to areas in the joint. The bottom line is that he needs to have the hip replaced.
Working with a team of doctors, my dad is prepping for surgery later this summer, probably June or July. The operation itself, including the doctors fees, anesthesia and facilities use is $45,652. Under insurance the net cost is $24,000 by contract. Of the bill, Papa is responsible for the deductible which is $6340.78 ($6750 less $409.22 which he has already paid in).
Additionally, there will be a recovery time, anywhere from a few months to perhaps a year, when he will need support for his basic needs while he recovers. We are hoping he'll rebound quickly (he'd rather be riding his bike) but we're looking to cover about $1500 a month towards his basic needs for an estimated six months full recovery time. So we are hoping to raise the sum of $15,000.
My Papa has served in the community in various ways, helping through volunteering and working for nonprofits supporting housing and fighting homelessness, healthcare for the homeless, youth development organizations, organic gardening and individuals who called him friend.
We are hoping and praying, that those of you who know my Papa, Karl Westbrook, those who call him friend or family, will give what you can to help him in his time of need.
No amount is too small (or too big). If you cannot donate, please share this page with your family and friends. Thank you all.
Organizer
Karl Westbrook
Organizer
Salt Lake City, UT