Marty's Return to Independence

If you know Marty Kaczynski, you know how much he loves his Harley.  April 20, 2018 was the start of the summer season & Marty had just picked up his freshly tuned bike.  On that fateful ride back to his home, he was hit by car who didn't see him on his motorcycle.  Amazing bystanders stayed by his side as he almost died on the side of 422 that day.   His injuries were devastating consisting of paralysis from the chest down and an amputation of his right leg below the knee.   He spent 39 days in the ICU at Allegheny General Hospital where he endured many surgeries including the amputation, extensive back surgery, & a cardiac pacemaker just to make it interesting:)   After he left AGH, he spent another 3 weeks at a facility to get off of the ventilator.   Now he is close to leaving the spinal cord rehab unit at UPMC Mercy Hospital & heading home.  

Despite the physical injuries, Marty's mind remains incredibly sharp & his spirit is amazingly upbeat.  He jokes about being "one foot shorter" now.  He tackles each day with a purpose from learning to put a shirt on again to successfully navigating the world in a wheelchair.  

Life will change but it doesn't have to be worse, only different.  Marty's goal is to return to independence.  Unfortunately, insurance does not cover all of the ongoing needs to meet that goal.  This GoFundMe will allow him to deal with medical expenses & obtain his independence including  a manual wheelchair & wheelchair-adaptive van that Marty will eventually be able to to drive.   Pens games will be a must!  Then he will back out on those open roads.  

Thanks to everyone who joins us on this journey.  


The Kaczynski Family