Morrie Bowie Medical & Home Accessibility Fund

Avi Bowie is organizing this fundraiser.

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As many of you know, Morrie (my dad), who loves to fly, has taken up paragliding in the last few years. On July 1st, during a sunset fly, he was in a paragliding accident in Talimena State Park in Oklahoma. He sustained serious injuries that resulted in his being paralyzed from the waist down. His doctors let us know that he is lucky to have survived. Over the last few months he has made remarkable progress in his recovery thanks to the incredible staff at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, a world class team of rehabilitation specialists at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab here in Chicago, and LOTS of support from friends and family. As you might imagine, even with the help of insurance, the financial costs that my dad has incurred are significant and it is with enormous humility that we are now asking for your support in making sure that he has what he needs to live a full life. We’ve made a number of renovations to our home and property to make it more accessible but there is still a fair amount to be done and he will require ongoing medical care and support for the foreseeable future. We know that these are incredibly fraught times in the world, and that for so many, financial insecurity looms large. Whatever you can do to contribute, and as much as you can share this request, please know that it is ALL appreciated. As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a retired Lieutenant with the Chicago Fire Department, and, most recently a (decorated and frequently deployed) disaster response volunteer with the Red Cross, my dad has lived a life committed to selfless service.

His email signature closes with Isaiah 6:8, which reads, in part:“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” And so, it should come as no surprise that my dad is often the first person family and friends call for help (and a good laugh). I have assured my dad that his community will be happy to do what they can to continue to help and support him and to return some of the generosity that he has so readily extended throughout his life. We have been humbled by the many ways that so many of you have already rallied to come to his aide in many different capacities. From the bottoms of our hearts, thank you, so much for whatever you are able to give, and for all that you've already done.