Hello, my name is Liz Schilling and I am the stepmother of Leslie Hagemeyer. But this story is about Leslie’s wonderful husband David. While enjoying Independence Day at Ocean City, David suffered a freak accident. He was knocked over in the water, striking his head causing a complete spinal cord injury at C5. David was airlifted to the world premiere Shock Trauma in Baltimore MD. He underwent spinal stabilization surgery 2 days later, followed by the placement of a tracheostomy in 2 more days. Due to the injuries he is paralyzed from the upper chest down. He has limited motion of his upper arms. For those who know and love David and Leslie, you know that they are both deaf. Their communication is via sign language. With David’s paraplegia he no longer has the ability to communicate with his hands. To watch them attempt to communicate is heart wrenching. Leslie is finger spelling through the alphabet to try to figure out what David is trying to say. He will nod when she comes upon the letter he wants, then the process is repeated until a word is found, and repeated again until his message is found.

David was a strong hardworking man who always provided for his wife. He supported her with profound love when she went through breast cancer treatments 3 years ago. Watching him look at Leslie while he is confined to a hospital bed, unable to hold her and comfort her, but with the most beautiful smile and deep joy in his eyes, there is no doubt of his unending love for her. Now it is her turn to care for him. And this journey will be long, as in forever long. Medically, we are told he will never be able to work again. We continue to pray however for a complete miracle. With God all things are possible. He is still on a ventilator, but being slowly weaned off. Once off the ventilator, he will need extensive rehabilitation for many months. There are so many unknowns about this journey, but what is known is that David is strong and his vast network of friends and family are voicing their total support for David and Leslie.

So, friends and family, and those who will

join in with their support, this is how we need you.

*David’s employer does not provide any benefits. He does not have any income. Leslie will be on family leave for as long as she can. Would you consider pledging a monthly donation to offset their income loss until disability income can be obtained? This may be for at least 6-12 months. If not a monthly pledge, a cheerful generous donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated.

*Currently they are in a second floor apartment. Before David is released home, Leslie will need to find a new place to live. We will need help packing them up, moving to a new place, and rehabilitating their home to accommodate this new way of living. For now, Leslie needs more imminent assistance with daily living expenses such as rent, electricity, car payments, etc.

*Longer term, they will need lots of help with day to day care, food, transportation. We really don’t know what this means yet but will certainly update you all as time progresses.

*We need your prayers, your support, your love for David and Leslie. They need to know that they are not facing this uphill battle alone.