Please Help David Recover from His Strokes

Born with Spina Bifida, David was told he may never walk or live a normal life. With years of therapies and determination he beat all odds. For physical therapy David joined the Clearwater Challenger Little League and Tae Kwon Do. He played for 14 years and coached for another 5. In 2003, he received the Excellence in Youth Sportsmanship award from the city of Clearwater. When he was 11, his sister Christie, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome Leukemia and David was able to be her bone marrow donor. Age 13, he earned his second degree blackbelt. He was part of the Life Teen Ministry as it began at St. Ignatius Church in Tarpon Springs. He has always loved his sports, High School and Tampa Bay Sports . He graduated from East Lake High, St. Petersburg College and has worked for Quality Cleaners since his junior year in High School.

Over the years, he has had multiple surgeries due to complications of Spina Bifida. He has had the care from All Childrens, Tampa General, Mease and St. Joseph Hospitals. This March, David (37 yrs old) had his 24th surgery, this one for a spinal blockage. The surgery went fine. However, that evening he suffered 2 mini strokes to the brain. He woke up, with no speech and no movement on his left side. Through intense therapy he has regained his cognitiveness, his speech, control of left arm and some movement in leg. Doctors (and David) truly believe he can overcome his strokes with continued therapy.

His insurance for the acute therapy has been used up, so he is at home with a hospital bed and lift. He is down to 1 PT and OT each week. He cannot transition into a car and needs to take the motorized wheelchair to any future outpatient therapy. He has used his savings account up. Family is helping as much as they can.

The drive alone to a doctor visit (7 miles from home) cost over $150 dollars round trip. Each therapy session will cost that or more. 3 visits a week totals $450. 30 visits have been approved by the insurance company. The rides alone could cost up to $4,500. At some point, the goal is to get back into a car and not need a van ride.

There are also the copays for the visits and therapy, medical supplies that include everything from medications to special needs items. Therapists know that time is of the essence for his foot to gain strength and for control to come back.

David really needs help to afford the therapy to recover and go back to being independent. No one is sure of how many therapy visits or exactly how long it will take but positive it will happen.

Our goal is $8,000 to help support his therapy and medical needs through this year.

Any amount would be greatly appreciated. If you have words or stories of encouragement or tips for David, they would be great for keeping his spirits up.