Paul O'Donnell's Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

Hello, this is Cheri and Tim Gavin. We are excellent friends/family with Paul and Jan O'Donnell. Paul (OD) served in the US Navy for over 8 years where he met Tim and flew with him in the Navy. After flying in the Navy, he flew and retired from Delta Air Lines. In the past couple of years, Paul suffered two strokes which he recovered to almost 100%. He is so thankful that he could continue his passion for golf, volunteering for Kiwanas in Pensacola, FL, snow skiing, biking, traveling, and a very active lifestyle.

Unfortunately, on Monday, April 4th, 2022, Paul suffered a serious spinal cord injury when he fell from a ladder while hanging a banner for the Kiwanis Club Easter Egg Hunt. He was taken to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. The neurosurgeon stabilized his broken neck using screws and rods. The extent of the damage to the spinal cord determines whether the injury is complete or incomplete. Paul has an incomplete injury meaning that there is still some degree of feeling or movement below the level of damage. He cannot move his arms very much. He says they feel like they’re asleep and he has the pins and needles feeling in them. He can move his left leg and foot; his right side has much less movement; however, connections are present. Paul can lightly squeeze and move the arm just a bit with his left hand. While there is significantly less movement with his right hand and arm, the doctors and therapists say the muscles are contracting and trying to work. He has feelings throughout his body. He can speak and eat and is working on strengthening his voice. He has had some physical, occupational and speech therapy here at the hospital, and there have been minor improvements, which is encouraging. While we do not know the full extent of his injury, we know it will be a very long road. We are grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support from so many people.

His recovery will be a multilayered process. He was in Baptist Hospital in Pensacola from April 4 until April 20. At that time, he rode 6 hours in an ambulance to Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida where he was immediately surrounded by doctors and therapists beginning to assess his injury. At this time, he is receiving 3 hours of extensive therapy and undergoing tests. We are hopeful that these tests will give insight to how much damage the spinal cord has sustained and where the connections are good and can be retrained and re-established connections to his muscles.

As you can imagine, the rehabilitation for a spinal cord injury is a long process (at least 2 years) and quite expensive. Getting the most effective specialized care quickly is the primary goal right now and Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital is proving to be a great option. Along with inpatient therapy and hospital stay, securing a customized wheelchair, and being able to go home is the next step. Paul may need adaptive equipment, ramps and changes to the house to allow him to live at home. Home health care, outpatient rehab, medications, transportation, doctor's visits, and unknown expenses enable Paul to live his best life regardless of the outcome after all rehabilitation efforts are exhausted. These expenses are likely going to reach an expense level beyond that of Medicare and VA benefits.

The raised money will be used for all expenses that are not covered to allow OD the best

care for the most favorable outcome from this injury. All donations are appreciated, from $5 to any amount you can contribute to help the O’Donnell’s minimize this recovery's financial burden on their finances. Thank you and feel free to pass this Go Fund Me information to anyone who knows the O’Donnell’s and all your friends who want to help a family in need.

Please consider a donation and share this with others who may want to contribute. We are greatly appreciative for any donations.

If you have any questions, please reach out to myself or Tim (Pud).

Cheri Gavin – [phone redacted] / [email redacted]

Tim (Pud) Gavin – [phone redacted] / [email redacted]

You may also follow his progress on his Caring Bridge Journal