Support Patrick Hatfield, Paralyzed from Accident
Donation protected
Our 26-year-old cousin, Patrick Hatfield of Stockton, Illinois, was in a life-changing motorcycle accident on August 17, 2020, that left him paralyzed from the neck down. In the accident, Patrick suffered permanent injuries to the C3/C4 discs in his spine. He spent almost 4 months in the hospital and at the Shirley Ryan ActivityLab in Chicago for intense rehabilitation before returning home in December 2020. We are so blessed and thankful that he survived the crash, but we also know there is a long and expensive road ahead for him and his family.
Patrick’s current prognosis: he is a complete quadriplegic. This is especially challenging news for Patrick who is a former high school athlete (baseball and football) and was very active leading up to the accident. The family would love to get a second opinion but Mayo Clinic requires prepayment in full for all evaluations, which they cannot afford.
Patrick now resides with his mom, Lee Sa, and his younger siblings, Dillon and Jennifer, who provide care for Patrick around the clock. The family is dedicated, loving, and somehow keeps a great sense of humor through it all. After Patrick’s first (comical) at-home shower experience, they’ve nicknamed themselves “Patrick’s Pit Crew.”
Additional members of the Pit Crew include Patrick’s older sister Kimberly and their dad, Brad. They both visit Patrick several times a week to help take him to physical therapy appointments in Rockford and Chicago. The drive to therapy is 1-3 hours each way and sessions last several hours.
Although Lee Sa was able to acquire a wheelchair-accessible van, they quickly learned that Patrick and his incredibly bulky wheelchair barely fit inside. Their current van requires 3-4 people to maneuver Patrick and his wheelchair (a combined 650 pounds!) in and out for every appointment he has. They need a better-equipped vehicle that will allow family members more flexibility to go to work, attend school, and rest. They also can't risk anyone getting injured while loading Patrick into the van.
To add to all of this, Lee Sa was let go from her job of 17 years in January 2021. As the sole parent in the household, this created extra financial uncertainty, stress about keeping the house while providing essentials for the family, on top of all that Patrick’s care requires.
The small, rural farming community where the Hatfields live has been extremely supportive since the accident. Many have donated time, money, and talents - providing meals, organizing fundraisers, shoveling, and renovating their home to make it wheelchair accessible. These generous and gracious donations have been huge blessings, offering hope through dark days, and helping them continue with some semblance of “normal” life. Patrick, Lee Sa, and the family are incredibly thankful and don’t expect anything more, but we know that they truly need additional financial help. This led us to create a GoFundMe to help them:
•buy a more suitable van for Patrick (estimated $30,000 or more - a sprinter van has the most head room with a minimum of 63-65” clearance)
•assist with mortgage and utility expenses
•cover care supplies not covered by insurance
•continue home modifications not covered by insurance or grants
•pay for second opinion and future therapies
•pay for adaptive everyday clothing and gear (i.e. fishing)
We want to help our family as they adjust and adapt to this new life by raising enough money to ease the financial burden of this journey for them.
Be part of Patrick’s Pit Crew and help the Hatfields. From hearing about Lee Sa needing to “go mama bear” to improve Patrick’s care, and watching his siblings selflessly take care of him, to hearing Patrick’s colorful, funny commentary for his caregivers is beyond inspiring and beautiful. This is the definition of family. Whether your donation is for $2, $10, $50, $100, $1,000, or more, it will mean a lot to Patrick and his family. We pray this GoFundMe blesses them. Thank you for your support. We love you, Patrick! #TeamHatfield #InThisFamilyNoOneFightsAlone
Patrick’s current prognosis: he is a complete quadriplegic. This is especially challenging news for Patrick who is a former high school athlete (baseball and football) and was very active leading up to the accident. The family would love to get a second opinion but Mayo Clinic requires prepayment in full for all evaluations, which they cannot afford.
Patrick now resides with his mom, Lee Sa, and his younger siblings, Dillon and Jennifer, who provide care for Patrick around the clock. The family is dedicated, loving, and somehow keeps a great sense of humor through it all. After Patrick’s first (comical) at-home shower experience, they’ve nicknamed themselves “Patrick’s Pit Crew.”
Additional members of the Pit Crew include Patrick’s older sister Kimberly and their dad, Brad. They both visit Patrick several times a week to help take him to physical therapy appointments in Rockford and Chicago. The drive to therapy is 1-3 hours each way and sessions last several hours.
Although Lee Sa was able to acquire a wheelchair-accessible van, they quickly learned that Patrick and his incredibly bulky wheelchair barely fit inside. Their current van requires 3-4 people to maneuver Patrick and his wheelchair (a combined 650 pounds!) in and out for every appointment he has. They need a better-equipped vehicle that will allow family members more flexibility to go to work, attend school, and rest. They also can't risk anyone getting injured while loading Patrick into the van.
To add to all of this, Lee Sa was let go from her job of 17 years in January 2021. As the sole parent in the household, this created extra financial uncertainty, stress about keeping the house while providing essentials for the family, on top of all that Patrick’s care requires.
The small, rural farming community where the Hatfields live has been extremely supportive since the accident. Many have donated time, money, and talents - providing meals, organizing fundraisers, shoveling, and renovating their home to make it wheelchair accessible. These generous and gracious donations have been huge blessings, offering hope through dark days, and helping them continue with some semblance of “normal” life. Patrick, Lee Sa, and the family are incredibly thankful and don’t expect anything more, but we know that they truly need additional financial help. This led us to create a GoFundMe to help them:
•buy a more suitable van for Patrick (estimated $30,000 or more - a sprinter van has the most head room with a minimum of 63-65” clearance)
•assist with mortgage and utility expenses
•cover care supplies not covered by insurance
•continue home modifications not covered by insurance or grants
•pay for second opinion and future therapies
•pay for adaptive everyday clothing and gear (i.e. fishing)
We want to help our family as they adjust and adapt to this new life by raising enough money to ease the financial burden of this journey for them.
Be part of Patrick’s Pit Crew and help the Hatfields. From hearing about Lee Sa needing to “go mama bear” to improve Patrick’s care, and watching his siblings selflessly take care of him, to hearing Patrick’s colorful, funny commentary for his caregivers is beyond inspiring and beautiful. This is the definition of family. Whether your donation is for $2, $10, $50, $100, $1,000, or more, it will mean a lot to Patrick and his family. We pray this GoFundMe blesses them. Thank you for your support. We love you, Patrick! #TeamHatfield #InThisFamilyNoOneFightsAlone
Co-organizers (3)
Samantha Tokarski
Organizer
Brookfield, WI
Lee Sa Hatfield
Beneficiary
Jerry Hatfield
Co-organizer
Kati Hatfield
Co-organizer