Help Jim rebuild his life

On April 30, 2021 James was involved in a terrible accident that almost ended his life when he crashed his ultralight airplane.

James’ injuries included broken sternum, broken ribs 4 through 7, traumatic brain injury, broken left wrist, two broken ankles, a crushed left heel, 80% burst fracture of the first lumbar vertebrae and fractured L2 and L3, which impinged on the spinal cord leaving him without the use of his legs.

After a month of non-weight bearing rehabilitation in Reno a pressure sore started at the sacrum followed by Jim being transferred to the Spinal Cord Injury VA Palo Alto, California where it was determined a plastic surgeon specialist was required. Two separate surgeries were needed – one to clean the wound and biopsy the bone for infection, the second to rotate skin and muscle to cover the wound with an approximate recovery time of 12 weeks flat on his back without lifting his head off a pillow.

I am making this appeal for James to purchase an Action Track Chair.

This track chair will provide James the mobility needed to continue his life’s passion of Falconry and the ability to maneuver on his property and assist in Raptor Adventures – the family business.

As many of you know accidents like this leave families with thousands in medical bills; any funds beyond the track chair will go toward Jim and Kathleen’s medical bills.

I became close friends with James 15 years ago through the California Hawking Club while James and Kate Marden, his partner, were launching West Coast Falconry.

I would like to share a few interesting facts about James.

James:

Loves all things related to aviation and flight – Falconry, gliders and airplanes were a natural fit

Obtained a falconry license in 1976

Enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1980 following boot camp he was stationed in Sitka, Alaska where he focused on his Aviation Survival Skill School.

Was a hoist operator and flight mechanic for the HH3 helicopter where he participated, with other Coast Guardsmen, in life-saving missions that were both harrowing and dangerous – conditions unique only to Sitka

Was stationed in Sitka in the early 1980’s where he soon realized the need for medical and rehabilitation for injured bald eagles following multiple rescues of eagles tangled in fishing gear, poisoned, or shot

Started the Alaska Raptor Rehab Center in 1982 with other local volunteers. The first 8 x 8 enclosure was in the backyard of his home. He soon enlisted the assistance of Walter Crawford from the World Bird Sanctuary, and the group formalized the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center as 501(c)(3) – the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center still operates today as a world-renowned rehabilitation center for Bald Eagles and many other species

Was still active duty when he achieved a childhood dream and obtained his private pilot license yet his passion for aviation continued well beyond his 12-year Coast Guard career as he traveled throughout the wide-open places of California and Nevada flying Hang Gliders and Ultralight aircraft.

More recently moved to California where he continued his passion of Falconry and Raptor Rehabilitation and served for two years as Director and one year as President for the California Hawking Club

More recent service to raptor welfare arose during a Thanksgiving Day celebration, while entertaining family with a day of Goshawk Falconry, when two gorged, Golden Eagles were spotted, unable to fly, near a deer carcass. James suspected lead poisoning but knew the Eagles required immediate medical assistance if they were to survive. He found a way to retrieve both Eagles for transportation to the California Foundation for Birds of Prey – luckily both Eagles survived and were later released

Continues to serve the falconry and raptor rehabilitation community in as many ways as possible with rehabilitation, assisting in retrieving lost falconry birds and mentoring young interested falconers

I cannot think of anyone more deserving of help then my friend James Tigan