Step up for Raph Riedel - his two feet ain't got no rhythm

If you've lived in Sierra Vista for even a short time and especially if you've ever reached out on social media for someone to help haul away trash or to help move a large piece of furniture then you've most assuredly met or heard of one of our finest citizens, Mr. Raphael Johannes Reinhard Riedel. ‘Raph’ has a few nicknames, GP, The German Picker- and he’s made his trade helping the people of Sierra Vista and the surrounding areas to move things, helping to haul refrigerators and pianos from place to place, and dispose of ‘junk’ that people no longer want or need. You may have seen pictures of him, always giving a thumbs up and a smile to share pictures of his before and after hauling services. He doesn’t have a business name or a storefront. He’s always made an honest living doing hard manual labor so that others don’t have to, he can be easily found helping others to buy, sell, acquire, and trade all manners of items.

On April 20th, 2024 at approximately 2:25 PM, the world of Sierra Vista’s very own Happy-helpful, ‘German Picker’, Raph Riedel-changed forever. It was a business-as-usual kind of day for Raph he had just gotten some new tires put on his friend's dump trailer and had loaded it up, partially with items that were from a free pick-up to help someone out. He had about 20 minutes to spare after he left Midas before his next appointment, so he decided to make an early dump run and headed that way. Around Market Street on 92, close to UPS someone in oncoming traffic decided to try to overtake another vehicle.

Raph describes the next moments as feeling like a slow-motion film reel. He tried to brake and swerve to avoid the late model Mercedes that was coming straight at him, but he knew that the impact was imminent. Driving an older model truck, he braced himself as best he could and remembers hitting his head hard against the steering wheel.

With his truck, 100% totaled, and in a state of shock, he did not realize immediately how badly he was injured. The ER at Canyon Vista did four X-rays, and two CT scans, and decided an ambulance ride to Banner Trauma was in order. The point of concern was/is both of his feet and ankles.

Once he arrived at Banner Trauma, he was in for more X-rays, pain medication, and what he describes as one of the most uncomfortable, excruciatingly painful, traumatic number of hours of his life; from very firm all-over ultrasounds looking for blood clots to finding out he would need immediate emergency surgery, he still hoped that he might be able to walk out of Banner himself.

His first surgery of many took place the morning after he arrived to wire several of the bones in his feet together. After another two-day stay at Banner to ensure that he was stable enough, he was able to be medi-transited home.

Since the first surgery, several more minor procedures and a second surgery; the second of which was postponed due to an inability to self-pay before being able to ensure he had enough medical insurance coverage.

Ralph has a very long three to six months ahead of him. Being that he is self-employed and often runs a one-man show he does not know when he'll be able to be back on his feet and back to work again he does know for sure that work as he knew it we'll never be the same again. The bones in one of his heels have been completely crushed, bones have dissolved and both feet will need to be fused. With pins already in one foot and another surgery coming up in the next few weeks for the other he's been told that he will never be able to move his feet in the same way again, regardless of how many surgeries and how much rehab.

He has always earned his living doing manual labor, being in charge of his one-man show and he doesn't even know at this point when he'll be able to take baby steps to get back to that let alone be able to put weight on his feet. He is currently trying to coordinate his business and keep boots on the ground (albeit not his) as he’s unable to move much without significant help now or for the foreseeable future.

Raph has always prided himself on being an independent and self-sufficient member of the community he has always tried to give back more than he has taken. With mounting medical bills and not knowing what turns he will need to make to continue to keep his business afloat, he needs help to make ends meet. He has not wanted to let too many people know about his plight before now as he was hoping to be able to continue business navigating a few helpers to be able to do the work he previously had done on his own.

At this point, every little bit helps. From shooting him a message of encouragement to help his morale to helping out with a meal to keep his belly full. He’s mostly unsure how he’s going to keep up with all of his bills as well. If Raph’s ever come through for you or anyone you know when you were in a pinch, or even if you have a spare bit of change; he appreciates all of the kindness and generosity. Thank you, Sierra Vista/Cochise County, for helping to support one of our finest citizens.