Butch Risma Camera Equipment
Donation protected
Butch’s Story
On Wednesday, October 15, 2014, Butch Risma was involved in a car accident, about mid-afternoon, while driving from one appointment to another in West Virginia. This webpage/journal is initiated by Bill Risma and family, so that we can update you on his progress, as this will be a lengthy recovery journey for Butch. Presently, we know that he will be non-weight bearing for 2-3 months, and this includes an inability to sit up (& type)...so, we will "scribe" for him and on his behalf, and update you with progress. We've been told the process may take 6-12 months of surgeries, recovery, rehabilitation and physical therapy to regain lost functions again.
Butch's accident was witnessed and emergency teams responded and worked tirelessly to extract him from his car. Butch was flown via Life Flight to Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV where he received great care and attention to his multiple injuries. His injuries kept him in the ICU for 5 days, when he stabilized and received his first Orthopedic repair surgery on Monday, October 20, 2014. While having this surgery, many members of his family, including Doug & Arlene Rowe, Isi Risma, Gladys Risma, as well as Mark & Bev Conklin worked to coordinate a plan to help him transfer back home, to Cleveland, OH. With many answered prayers, Butch stabilized over the next few days following surgery and communication avenues opened with a trauma doctor in Cleveland MetroHealth Hospital and the trauma team working with Butch in WV.
Butch was then transferred to Cleveland Friday, October 24th...leaving the bedside care given by his sister, Bev Conklin, and greeted a few hours later in Cleveland by his dear friends, Stacy Turk and Michelle...and later, Ben Risma (son) and Gladys Risma (sister) spent the day helping him settle into his room in Cleveland. Butch is able and willing to receive visitors, but we'd ask that you call (his cell phone) or text message him ahead of time with an approximate time, so that he can convey his availability with exam, surgery and recovery schedules. :)
The car accident did not involve any other vehicles or individuals, but left Butch with many broken bones. God miraculously spared him from any head or internal organ injuries! The trauma was a tremendous toll to him and he will have a long road to recovery, but we're so thankful that he is here to fight through it!
Summary of his injuries: both femurs were broken, left dislocated knee, left knee cap was shattered into multiple pieces, Tib-fib (shin bones) were shattered into multiple pieces on both legs, and the bones were driven through both ankle joints destroying the ankles. 1 fractured rib, L1 and L2 fractured lumbar vertebrae (nonthreatening), dislocated left shoulder.
We appreciate your prayers, support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most. Thank you and God bless you!
Butch has taken pictures for families at CVCA, Gordon College. and other schools- typically 800 per event , and then sends them no charge to students and families. In the accident, he lost all his camera equipment. This is a man that gives so much, we would love to surprise him and give him the money to replace that equipment.
Please consider donating-Thank you!
On Wednesday, October 15, 2014, Butch Risma was involved in a car accident, about mid-afternoon, while driving from one appointment to another in West Virginia. This webpage/journal is initiated by Bill Risma and family, so that we can update you on his progress, as this will be a lengthy recovery journey for Butch. Presently, we know that he will be non-weight bearing for 2-3 months, and this includes an inability to sit up (& type)...so, we will "scribe" for him and on his behalf, and update you with progress. We've been told the process may take 6-12 months of surgeries, recovery, rehabilitation and physical therapy to regain lost functions again.
Butch's accident was witnessed and emergency teams responded and worked tirelessly to extract him from his car. Butch was flown via Life Flight to Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV where he received great care and attention to his multiple injuries. His injuries kept him in the ICU for 5 days, when he stabilized and received his first Orthopedic repair surgery on Monday, October 20, 2014. While having this surgery, many members of his family, including Doug & Arlene Rowe, Isi Risma, Gladys Risma, as well as Mark & Bev Conklin worked to coordinate a plan to help him transfer back home, to Cleveland, OH. With many answered prayers, Butch stabilized over the next few days following surgery and communication avenues opened with a trauma doctor in Cleveland MetroHealth Hospital and the trauma team working with Butch in WV.
Butch was then transferred to Cleveland Friday, October 24th...leaving the bedside care given by his sister, Bev Conklin, and greeted a few hours later in Cleveland by his dear friends, Stacy Turk and Michelle...and later, Ben Risma (son) and Gladys Risma (sister) spent the day helping him settle into his room in Cleveland. Butch is able and willing to receive visitors, but we'd ask that you call (his cell phone) or text message him ahead of time with an approximate time, so that he can convey his availability with exam, surgery and recovery schedules. :)
The car accident did not involve any other vehicles or individuals, but left Butch with many broken bones. God miraculously spared him from any head or internal organ injuries! The trauma was a tremendous toll to him and he will have a long road to recovery, but we're so thankful that he is here to fight through it!
Summary of his injuries: both femurs were broken, left dislocated knee, left knee cap was shattered into multiple pieces, Tib-fib (shin bones) were shattered into multiple pieces on both legs, and the bones were driven through both ankle joints destroying the ankles. 1 fractured rib, L1 and L2 fractured lumbar vertebrae (nonthreatening), dislocated left shoulder.
We appreciate your prayers, support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most. Thank you and God bless you!
Butch has taken pictures for families at CVCA, Gordon College. and other schools- typically 800 per event , and then sends them no charge to students and families. In the accident, he lost all his camera equipment. This is a man that gives so much, we would love to surprise him and give him the money to replace that equipment.
Please consider donating-Thank you!
Organizer
Dale Andrassy Sr.
Organizer
Hudson, OH
