Medical Expenses for Ernie Gaines' recovery

Hi, my name is Lainey Gaines and I am asking for financial assistance for Ernie Gaines, my ex-husband, and lifelong friend. On April 17th, 2021, Ernie fell and hit his head on the running board of his truck, then on the cement, and suffered a spinal injury with a brain injury. He was paralyzed from the neck down and taken to ICU. A week later, they were able to do surgery and replaced his top seven(7) vertebrae with a rod and screws. His doctor told us that with a lot of work and therapy, over the next months to years, he would regain some of the use of his hands and legs. He spent about two (2) months at Shepherd Center in an electric wheelchair, where he began to get therapy to help him regain movement in his limbs. He has had to relearn to walk and control muscles that had no nerve impulses for months. Since the end of July, he has been in a Rehab center. He is in a manual wheelchair and is working hard. He can now walk with a walker, if someone is nearby for short distances, and can use his right hand a little. We saw the Doctor about a month ago and he told us that most people that have this type of injury never use their arms and legs again. We are so thankful for all the medical care and therapy he has received and the strides he has made.

Insurance has decided that he no longer needs skilled nursing care, even though he cannot do simple things for himself such as take his medication, dress, bathe, etc. The only option is to send him to Assisted Living, where he will continue to get physical therapy and occupational therapy, as well as the daily assistance he requires. Hopefully, he will only be there for 4-6 months, but it could go longer, as no one can say how long or when he will have normal function.

As you can imagine, Assisted Living is very expensive and not covered by insurance. He is unable to work and has no retirement, so the only income he has is Social Security. He has enough money to afford a couple of months but needs some financial assistance to be able to stay in assisted living until he can live on his own again. Ernie continues to keep a positive outlook and work toward his goal of returning to a home of his own.

All donations are gratefully appreciated, no matter the amount. Thank you in advance from Ernie, me, our sons and daughters-in-law, Nathan, Jordan, Taylor, Marissa, Chase, and Courtney. May God bless all of you and your families.