John Ott Jr. "Kipper" Medical fund

Last Sunday morning, July 12th, I had found my dad unconscious and face down in our backyard swimming pool. I immediately pulled him from the water, called 911, and administered CPR. He left the house via paramedics and they were able to get a very slight pulse before putting him in the ambulance. Here is what we've come to know: My dad was either born with spinal stenosis or it may have occurred with age- though he is only 56 years old.  Spinal stenosis is an ongoing narrowing of the canals within your spine and over time it will cause pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and the neck. That said, his higher cervical spine was weakened due to the stenosis and any trauma to that area would have triggered a heightened amount of damage.  The doctors believe he suffered a spinal cord injury from hitting his head in or on the pool, thus causing instant paralysis. They do believe the paralysis occurred right before he hit the water, hence, causing the near drowning- which then brought on a cardiac arrest. Though he is in stable condition and is responding to questions by blinking we are not out of the woods yet. He's showing minimal trauma to the brain. He can follow a pen with his eyes and move his head back and forth. They believe he may be able to talk, but we won’t know that until he comes off the ventilator. What's most concerning is that he's not showing much movement in his legs or arms.  He has lifted his right forearm but is barely lifting his left hand off the bed. He can move his feet but has not been able to lift his legs. He has a contusion (bruising) on the spinal cord which they think is causing the overall paralysis. Unfortunately, the bruising on the spinal cord does not regenerate as the rest of our body does. Friday night he underwent spinal surgery to decompress the spine and the Dr. was happy to report that he did not need to add rods or screws to stabilize the spine.  He has had significant swelling and is being treated with diuretics which seems to be working.  His heart is enlarged on the right side as well.   It's going to be a long road and only time will tell as to his recovery. Currently, they are trying to wean him off the ventilator, but he hasn’t passed the test yet so they will keep trying into next week.  At that time, if he can’t be weaned off the machine, he may need a tracheotomy so he can breathe better.  The breathing is difficult as our breathing tube runs through the same small space where the contusion is located in the high cervical spine.  Additionally, he currently has pneumonia that they are treating with the “big gun” antibiotics. He is looking at approximately 18 to 24 months in a rehabilitation facility to see if he’ll be able to regain any additional movement from the neck down.  Today I was able to visit him and he did recognize me which felt amazing. We are all hoping and praying. As I mentioned, it's going to be a long road, but we are thankful we are able to travel this road together.  I'm reaching out to friends and family with this post to GoFundMe, seeking your help in donations. The money will go towards his medical and life expenditures. Any amount you are able to give would be much appreciated. This has been a highly emotional and scary week for my sister and I as well as for our entire family.  We ask that you give us a bit of time and privacy to process what has happened.  We would be grateful beyond measure for any and all prayers, good wishes, and love you can send his way.   Thank you, Kim Zielinski, Brett Ott, Zach Ott