- M
- B
Photographer Paul Zimmerman in one of the nicest people you will ever meet.... he is a guy you can count on in any situation and who would do anything for anyone.
But now he needs a little help from us..... and as he would NEVER ask anyone himself.... I wanted to do something on his behalf.
On July 13th, Paul underwent an 8 hour cervical spine emergency surgery (Discectomy of C4, C5,C6,C7 and decompression of the … disks... *A discectomy is the surgical removal of abnormal disc material that presses on a nerve root or the spinal cord. The procedure involves removing a portion of an intervertebral disc, which causes pain, weakness or numbness by stressing the spinal cord or radiating nerves and replacing the damaged disks with fake disks)
Hardware was put in his neck at c3,c4,c5,c6 in order to support the cervical spine. This metal has been rejected by his body causing pain and fluid retention so severe he can’t work, and he mostly has to lay flat for several hours a day.
Since having the emergency surgery-Paul has been hospitalized 2 times for extreme pain and swelling to the cervical spine.
As his body is rejecting the hardware and will have to have another surgery to replace the metal (with another material) -as it is causing damage to his body in addition to the extreme pain/ swelling.
If the pain, quality of life and everything else weren't enough.... Now he is being told his insurance is going up from 450 a month to 2200 a month (due to the surgeries etc he has had) - and in order to get the surgery he needs he will have to upgrade his policy Jan 1st in order to be covered for a possible new surgery - which apparently takes 18-24 months (unless he wants to pay 160k out of pocket)
He is also waiting for approval to see a pain management Dr. Which once he can get in will help to at least manage his pain. (but this will also require approval from his insurance company unless he pays out of pocket)
All this is a result of work related wear and tear (carrying photography gear etc). He had the initial surgery in 2010 (which was done incorrectly) and its now 5 surgeries since to correct it.
At the moment, Paul is dealing with terrible and debilitating pain.... but on top of this- frustration and depression with the situation.
Its a travesty that when someone is sick/ injured that this is what you have to deal with on top of all the other stress and pain.
He wont be able to work for a while so the idea of this is to collect something for him- just to help ease his stress.... and to take away a little worry of the financial side of this.
He is also trying to get approved for disability - but in NJ apparently it is extremely difficult to get this. (he will likely need to have a lawyer to assist)
Anyway, If you can help- even with the smallest amount - that would be amazing of you. And if you cant afford to do that.... say a prayer, offer advice or give him a call/ email to cheer him up.
If can happen to any of us.... so we must stick together.
Thank you!!!!!
But now he needs a little help from us..... and as he would NEVER ask anyone himself.... I wanted to do something on his behalf.
On July 13th, Paul underwent an 8 hour cervical spine emergency surgery (Discectomy of C4, C5,C6,C7 and decompression of the … disks... *A discectomy is the surgical removal of abnormal disc material that presses on a nerve root or the spinal cord. The procedure involves removing a portion of an intervertebral disc, which causes pain, weakness or numbness by stressing the spinal cord or radiating nerves and replacing the damaged disks with fake disks)
Hardware was put in his neck at c3,c4,c5,c6 in order to support the cervical spine. This metal has been rejected by his body causing pain and fluid retention so severe he can’t work, and he mostly has to lay flat for several hours a day.
Since having the emergency surgery-Paul has been hospitalized 2 times for extreme pain and swelling to the cervical spine.
As his body is rejecting the hardware and will have to have another surgery to replace the metal (with another material) -as it is causing damage to his body in addition to the extreme pain/ swelling.
If the pain, quality of life and everything else weren't enough.... Now he is being told his insurance is going up from 450 a month to 2200 a month (due to the surgeries etc he has had) - and in order to get the surgery he needs he will have to upgrade his policy Jan 1st in order to be covered for a possible new surgery - which apparently takes 18-24 months (unless he wants to pay 160k out of pocket)
He is also waiting for approval to see a pain management Dr. Which once he can get in will help to at least manage his pain. (but this will also require approval from his insurance company unless he pays out of pocket)
All this is a result of work related wear and tear (carrying photography gear etc). He had the initial surgery in 2010 (which was done incorrectly) and its now 5 surgeries since to correct it.
At the moment, Paul is dealing with terrible and debilitating pain.... but on top of this- frustration and depression with the situation.
Its a travesty that when someone is sick/ injured that this is what you have to deal with on top of all the other stress and pain.
He wont be able to work for a while so the idea of this is to collect something for him- just to help ease his stress.... and to take away a little worry of the financial side of this.
He is also trying to get approved for disability - but in NJ apparently it is extremely difficult to get this. (he will likely need to have a lawyer to assist)
Anyway, If you can help- even with the smallest amount - that would be amazing of you. And if you cant afford to do that.... say a prayer, offer advice or give him a call/ email to cheer him up.
If can happen to any of us.... so we must stick together.
Thank you!!!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Paul Zimmerman
Beneficiary