Help Our Brother Bear Heal: A Community United

Help Our Brother Bear Heal: A Community United

Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

With love and solidarity, we call upon our tribe to rally around Chris, known as Bear—his spirit name, reflecting his strength, warmth, and grounded presence. Bear is a pillar of our men’s group, a humble healer, and a cherished member of our broader community.

Now, in his time of need, we, his band of brothers, reach out to our entire community—our yoga family and beyond—to support Bear on his sacred journey of healing and transformation.

Bear is a man of service, integrity, and truth, deeply rooted in Native American First Nations traditions. As a shaman, he runs a donation-based sweat lodge on his land, offering spiritual refuge to all. Just weeks ago, he guided our men’s group through a profound sweat lodge ceremony, leaving a lasting impact. His generosity and wisdom are boundless, yet he rarely seeks anything in return.

Today, we have the sacred opportunity to give back.

Bear suffered a severe accident at a construction site. A ladder collapse on a second-story rooftop caused a 15-foot fall, shattering his heel bone, breaking his femur near his right hip, and gashing his cheek.

Alone but resilient, Bear arm-crawled to his phone and called 911. An ambulance rushed him to the hospital, where emergency surgery with rods, plates, and screws repaired his femur. This life-altering injury means a long, challenging recovery.

Father to an 8-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, Bear’s world centers on his family. Unable to work, drive, or walk for the foreseeable future, he faces mounting medical bills, surgical costs, and daily living expenses. Physical therapy and strength training, critical to his recovery, add to the financial burden.

Yet, Bear’s spirit remains unbroken. He says this experience has “laid bare” lessons about worth, community, and accepting help: “We descend from tribes… relying on each other to survive. The tribe is alive in our circle.”

This GoFundMe is our tribe’s response—a chance to uplift Bear through his healing journey. Doctors estimate a 4-to-6-month recovery. Your contributions will provide a financial bridge, allowing him to focus on healing and rebuilding strength, covering:

• Medical and surgical expenses.

• Living costs for Bear and his children, including food, mortgage, and utilities.

• Physical therapy and in-home rehabilitation for strength and mobility.

• Family support while Bear cannot work.

Bear credits his daily yoga practice for aiding his recovery. His vulnerability—sharing struggles with unworthiness, shame, and independence—reveals his humanity and the transformative power of this moment.

As Bear says, “There are so many lessons… opportunities for deep healing.” Let’s help him walk this path with hope.

We invite our community, friends, family, and all touched by Bear’s spirit to contribute any amount—no gift is too small. Share this campaign widely on social media and within your circles. If nearby, consider visiting Bear, bringing a meal, or helping with errands—every gesture matters.

This is more than a fundraiser; it’s a sacred turning point for Bear’s growth and our community’s strength in standing as one.

As Bear’s band of brothers, we stand steadfastly by him. Join us in supporting Bear with love, gratitude, and our tribe’s unwavering embrace.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Men’s Group and WildLight Yoga Community

Bear’s Message (Excerpt):

“I am healing… This has been challenging in many ways… Having time has laid bare so much… I return to my true self, open, knowing I am held by creation, this circle of strong, beautiful men, and other circles I cherish. I am blessed beyond measure!”

Let’s show Bear he’s never alone. Contribute today and share this campaign to help our brother rise, stronger and more radiant than ever!

We are the Bear Team—Let’s do this!