Support Donnie Sieber's Road to Recovery

I'm starting this GoFundMe for my brother, Donnie Sieber. He is an over-the-road driver who had been driving back and forth between Buffalo and Florida. Donnie and Lynn traveled together, living on the road. On February 11, 2025, (10 days before his 62nd birthday) they dropped off a load and had to pick up a load in the morning, something they always did. But this night changed their lives forever. After having dinner, they were crossing a multi-lane highway in Florida and someone hit Donnie as he crossed the street. Donnie was put on a ventilator; he had collapsed lungs, broken ribs, a deep gash on his arm, a crushed knee, broken bones in his face, and worst of all, he had brain bleeds. They removed a piece of his skull to help with the swelling, drainage and infections. He's been through more than 10 surgeries, he had a feeding tube (which he still has), a tracheostomy, many infections in his brain and his throat from the trach - God has watched over him every single day, it's a miracle he is still with us.

Donnie was making amazing progress - off the feeding tube and able to eat soft foods, have short conversations, FaceTime with Haley and his grandson, Cameron (he is truly Donnie's heart!), and Lynn said he was even getting his sense of humor back. The week of March 24th, they discovered his brain was bleeding again, and all the progress he had made was gone, and he was back to where he started when he was first admitted. Once he had made enough progress, he was transferred to a rehab center in Mt. Dora, FL on May 6th, where he got PT, OT, and Swallow Therapy so he can get off the feeding tube. Shortly after arriving, Donnie decided to get out of bed (mind you he couldn’t sit up yet, let alone get out of bed), and he ended up on the floor on his knees with his head stuck between the wall and railing of the bed. Since he was still missing the piece of his skull, he had to wear a helmet when he is out of bed. His helmet wasn't on when this happened, and he ended up back in the hospital where he stayed until May 19th. So, he's back in rehab now. His trach was out on May 21st. Donnie is still at the rehab – not medically ready to be discharged -- but as insurance would have it, his benefits have run out. They did extend it for a few days, and we are waiting to hear if they will agree to an extension until he has surgery on September 19th. They say he can get the therapies at home, but what they aren’t considering is that his home is in NY and he can’t travel until he has the surgery to replace the piece of skull. Once he recovers from that surgery, we anticipate he will be able to finally come home! We are trying to find a way to get him back home (he can’t fly), and looking for a place for him to continue his recovery once we get him back here.

We are researching whatever support there is for traumatic brain injuries to guide us down this road for Donnie's recovery, knowing he will have a new "normal." The road back will be very long. I am asking for your support, which will help Donnie as he goes down this long road to recovery – starting with getting him back home and settled into his new life. We know he is a fighter based on all of the progress he has made in the last 7 months. Every donation is so greatly appreciated; the amount doesn't matter. We ask you to keep Donnie, Lynn, and their family in your prayers, which are what got them this far. We thank God for reminding us that He is always with us and for the grace He has given every one of us to get us through to this point. Thank you and God bless you.

Joanie Boersma

Donnie's favorite sister