Joseph “Joe” Horsch Medical Renovations & Chair

Joe had a tragic accident on Saturday July 25th, breaking his neck as he was thrown from his Polaris  Ranger.  Unfortunately,  he laid in a ditch for quite awhile  on a 90+ degree day in the middle of the afternoon until someone found him.  This resulted in 3rd degree burns over his abdomen and thighs.  

Joe had Surgery On July 26th.  The doctors were able to stabilize his neck.  He now has a fusion which repaired  the  damage to his neck.  The artery in the back of his neck was also damaged, so the remaining artery has to do all the work.

Joe is paralyzed from the chest down.  Fortunately he has use of his arms and hands and is able to read the paper and hold his phone for a little while.  He can FaceTime with friends and family who are not allowed in the hospital due to COVID-19 hospital restrictions.

When he leaves St Francis , which may be the beginning of next week,  he will go to a rehab facility.  The family is not sure where yet.   Many facilities have been discussed and the family is waiting patiently for a case manager to call them.  Some  possibilities are Via Christi Rehab on the East side of Wichita, Ks or possibly  Craig in Englewood, Colorado.

The expenses are going to start adding up to get the house ready for Joe.  An electric wheelchair, a ramp, curbless shower, and a few doorways MAY need to be widened.  The electric wheelchair is the better option as they are not as wide, which could possibly eliminate some of the major changes to the house.  Our goal is to have this equipment  and projects completed prior to Joe coming home.

Joe’s wife Kim has decided to take a leave of absence from her teaching job at Andale Elementary School.  Her little1st graders are always beyond excited to start school just because of who she is as a person and a teacher.  This. decision was very  hard for her as she  lives and breaths for her students.   So much so, she continues to teach in the summer just so children have the best chance to excel in school. 

Expenses will be mounting!   Home renovations, electric wheelchair, day to day cost of living, etc. The list is growing, and Joe won’t be returning to work because of the extensive rehab he will require.   Our hope is that someday he will be able to return.

Their son Jake, who is attending college  at WSU,  is moving back home to help and take over things that Joe did on a day to day basis.  Kylie, their daughter, who lives in Kansas City, is studying to become a doctor will also be moving home to help.  She has worked in care facilities and has the knowledge of how to care  for Joe.  She will continue her online classes for her masters program from home.  Their older sons, Josh and Jordan and Jordan’s family will also be nearby to help out as needed.

Thank you so much for reading their story and I hope we can get started with the projects as soon as possible so Joe can have a safe home when he returns!