My father, Christopher Andrew Todd, is the most honest and hardworking man I have ever known. If you have never had the pleasure of meeting him, I ask that you please take a few minutes to read his story. If I had to describe my dad, I think the simplest way would be to call him a man of action. Put simply, he taught me life’s most important lessons, usually without saying more than a word or two - and if you know him, that's a lot. The most important ones being how to appreciate life and the outdoors, how to help others without seeking anything in return, how to mind your own, how to show love, and how to keep your word.

My dad lived by these lessons every day. He was never one to take short cuts and showed up for work/life every single day without fail. He was someone that family and friends could always call for help; usually so he could fix something that no one else could. It is not any stretch of the truth to call him one of the best mechanics in the state of Virginia. In fact, I have not found anything that he could not fix and it would be an understatement to say that I break a lot of shit. From dirt bikes, cars, and four wheelers to fishing poles, guns, and toys; he fixed them all. He worked as a mechanic his entire life; working for the Montgomery Country School System, in their bus garage from 1999 until March of this year when he was forced to retire. During this time, he was a public servant and no less than a role model citizen. My dad, along with my mother, Tammy Todd, worked extremely hard to give me and my sister, Emma, the best life we could possibly ask for. He was there for every single basketball, baseball, and softball game, even as a coach during our younger years. He also never missed a ballet recital, celebration, birthday party, Christmas, Church sermon, or graduation. He towed our camper thousands of miles and funded trips that created memories for our family that we will never forget. But above all else, he showed me and our family what it really means to be a father and man.

Though my dad has been able to provide my sister and I with truly fortunate lives, his own journey has been far from easy. When he was 13, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which he has managed his whole life since. In the fall of 2019, he was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease. In September of 2019, he suffered his first heart attack and in November of 2022, his second heart attack. Since then, he has had to fight to recover daily and maintain his health to support our family.

Make no mistake, through all of this my dad continued to work his 8-5 where many Americans would have been happy to draw the disability.

In November of 2025, he was diagnosed with encephalitis (an extremely dangerous inflammation of the brain), caused by West Nile virus. Right now, he is in rehab fighting with everything he has to recover from this including daily speech, physical, and occupational therapy.

West Nile Virus only affects around 3% of the US population since its emergence in 1999. Out of the 3% affected, only 1% of those infected develop severe neuroinvasive disease, such as encephalitis.

All this to say: he is up against the impossible, but my dad is as tough as they come.

This calamity has been devastating and overwhelming for our entire family. His initial hospital stay with UVA lasted from November 10th until December 19th of 2025, in ICU for 2-3 weeks of this time. He was then transferred to Centra Specialty Hospital in Lynchburg until February 16th, when we were then given the opportunity for him to start rehab at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, one of the best rehab facilities in the country.

Our country and our health insurance system have since failed him. Insurance has denied any further stay at this prestigious facility, even though his condition requires a much longer stay in order for him to have a chance at recovery. He moved to a skilled nursing facility a few days ago for additional therapy but we will be fighting with insurance every day for him to stay. We will be left with very few options for his continued recovery and support once insurance also refuses to pay for his stay at skilled nursing.

My family is requesting funds to help cover the following:

• Support for daily care

• Health insurance premiums

• Equipment

• Additional therapy

• Possible home modifications

• Additional costs not covered by insurance

His primary support and advocate is my mother, Tammy, who is nothing short of incredible herself. After suffering 2 heart attacks and undergoing a quadruple bypass in May of 2024 (at age 53) and getting two stents in December 2025; she still continues to support and fight for my dad every single day while trying to keep her full-time job.

I made this page to help my parents get through this devastating time because they are the most deserving and worthy people I have ever met. (Just for clarification; neither of my parents ever had any issues with drug or alcohol abuse, they were dealt these cards.)

We are believing in God for healing, strength, and restoration for my dad. Every donation (no matter how small), prayer, and share brings hope and support to our family during this difficult time.

If you are unable to give at this time, please share this fundraiser and keep my dad and mom in your prayers.

Thank you for taking the time to read his story. Your support, love, and encouragement mean everything to us!

Also, a special thanks to all of our family, friends, and community in New Castle, VA for all of the love, assistance, and support throughout this journey.