As some of you know, my son Collin, injured his spinal cord when he dove into the ocean in September 2023. He asked me to share his story which I am including below.

I’ve kept this relatively close to friends and family, but I feel it is time I share with others as I’m ready to ask for help. On 9/6/2023, I sustained a neck injury after diving into shallow water at the beach, resulting in the removal and replacement of my C5 vertebra with a metal cage. As a C5 complete quadriplegic, I have no movement from the chest down and no movement in my hands, but I retain some wrist and elbow mobility.

For the past two years, I have participated in physical and occupational therapy, as well as gym sessions, to strengthen and maximize my remaining functionality. During this period, I have been unable to work and rely on a power wheelchair for mobility, with transportation to appointments and events being limited and challenging.

Right now, there are a few things I need help with to beginliving as autonomously as possible and reducing reliance on friends and family. To achieve this, I am seeking donations for major purchases I cannot afford on my own which include modifying a van that was so generously donated to me so I can drive it myself whenever and wherever I want, acquiring a manual wheelchair with additional hardware suited to my level of injury, and covering out-of-pocket expenses for private physical therapy sessions, given that outpatient sessions are no longer available after two years. I plan on slowly uploading some of my favorite photos from the last two years to share with you all to remind myself and everyone else this is not an end but just a new beginning. Thank you so much for all the help and donations. Collin.