Danny Lord's Spinal Injury & Year Long Recovery

Our beloved Danny Lord has sustained a life changing spinal injury. We are reaching out for support in this extremely difficult time.

Dan fell off a ladder at work the day before Thanksgiving. The trauma to his spine immediately paralyzed him from the neck down. Miraculously, his spinal cord was not severed or torn. This means that he could potentially regain function once his injury has had time to heal. His spinal cord was fractured at C1, pinched and bruised badly between C3-C7 due to stenosis/arthritis, and creating instant sensation loss and a cascade of spontaneous complications affecting his lungs, heart, blood pressure, kidney function, and blood clotting. An infection is currently being addressed via surgery. He has been intubated and sedated since Nov 29th to allow his body to rest and heal. Rehabilitation and surgery will make this an extremely long recovery. The damage to those spinal discs will continue to wreak havoc until surgery is performed.

If you know Dan, you know his family is his world. He created the most magical childhood for his 3 now grown daughters (1 deceased) and carries that on with his 6 grandchildren. He is Papa to them, master of adventures big and small. He instills a love of the outdoors while sharing his wisdom and offerings of hands on experiences. He is an elaborate storyteller, and harnesses his childlike view of the world when he engages with them. His presence, support, love and dedication to his family is what he lives for. Truly a Husband, Dad & Papa like no other.

He lives out his passion everyday as a master woodworker restoring historic homes and dreaming up creations with his unique hand-drawn renderings. His passion for his craft has even led him to receive an award for Frank Lloyd Wright Restorations. Each morning before work he can be found writing a love note to one of his family members with lots of hearts and custom drawings.

There’s a long road ahead. Once Dan is out of the ICU, the goal is to transfer him to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab inpatient rehabilitation facility in Chicago where he will receive the best continued care possible. The care he deserves. Once he regains strength and ability, and spinal swelling is relieved, he will need to undergo a spinal surgery. All of this means months of disability or longer. No one knows the outcome.

He was injured at a time when 7 family members are temporarily living in his house on 2 incomes. (His beloved wife Diane, daughter, son-in-law, 3 grandchildren (1 who they raise as their own after her mama died). He is the anchor and breadwinner of his tribe and his essential income will be missed for the foreseeable future. The reality of his absence is not lost on anyone, and is felt in every imaginable way.

The Lord family has helped so many over the years. Their house has always been a safe place for a warm, and loving chat or meal. They are experts in nurturing children and teens and have impacted so many lives. (I speak from experience as they became my unofficial adoptive family at the age of 2).

Any amount big or small would be most helpful. Any gifted money will go towards medical bills, ongoing care, mortgage payments, utilities and food. Our desire is to take the worry off of Dan so he can focus all his efforts on recovery and healing! If you wish to send a larger donation outside of this platform please contact Keelin at [630-750-7063]. Please also reach out if you can offer your unique talents in any way to help the family.

Together we will all get through this and Dan will THRIVE once again. Please pray. We all love this man!