Help Gary cover medical expenses

~ on behalf of the Miyamoto 'Ohana ~

Gary is a morning fixture at Sandpiles and the Wai side surf breaks. Always one of the first ones to paddle out and incredibly dedicated to the ocean, Gary is one of the regular morning Piles crew who paddles out when it's two feet, blasting 20 mph winds, negative tides, ripping currents and those rare Wai side windows when it's clean and actually firing.

 

 

At the end of October, Gary surfed Wai side with his regular crew and had a minor cut on his foot. This minor cut very rapidly escalated to a Strep A bacteremia infection that has spread from his foot to his leg and body. He's been in Maui Memorial ICU and regular care since October 30 and is on a battery of antibiotics and has already had 4 surgeries to date to try and stop spread of the infection. His medical battle is not yet over as doctors haven't yet been able to stop the tissue necrosis, and even once they do, he will need significant skin grafting, rebuilding of his leg, recovery and physical therapy.

 

Gary has a beautiful family he raised here on Maui and loves surfing and adventuring with his youngest daughter, Druanne, and spending time cooking food and beach day cruising with his oldest daughter Ashle, her husband Brian and his three amazing grandchildren. Gary is also almost always found paddling next to his partner, Renee, who has the same love of the ocean and affinity to surf the small, big, good, and crummy waves together - the ocean brings Gary so much joy, and his entire 'Ohana is devastated with this terrible unexpected tragedy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to this extended stay in the hospital, Gary has been unable to work; he is a small business owner and has managed his own business from operations to logistics for the last 18 years. We are asking for help covering Gary's medical expenses - both his current TBD extended hospital stay and his long road for recovery with PT. Doctors are estimating that it could be 6 months to a year before Gary is back on his feet and in the ocean, the place he loves. We are keeping our hopes and prayers up that the infection is eliminated soon and he can start recovery.

 

We all hope that Gary is back in the Sandpiles morning lineup soon.