Support for Irwin
Greetings -- I'm Naomi Shulman, longtime friend of Rachel and Irwin Achmad. On Saturday, May 8, Irwin was in a mountain biking accident on his beloved Mt. Tom trails, and suffered a spinal cord injury. After ten days at Baystate Hospital in Springfield, he was transferred to Spaulding Rehab Hospital in Boston where he’ll remain until at least mid-summer.
Irwin is currently unable to move his limbs and needs assistance with all of his daily needs and activity. While it seems certain he will regain some degree of mobility, no one knows yet how much, nor what the timeline of his recovery will be. What is certain is that he’ll be returning home with mobility equipment (wheelchair and/or walking aids) that necessitates some modifications to his home, such as installing entryway ramps, widening doorways, and making the bathroom accessible. Modifications like these are not covered by any health or disability coverage, and they are expensive, often costing tens of thousands of dollars. Any help you can provide will help allow Irwin to return home, where he can continue to recover and thrive, and allow the family to adapt to this situation without added stress over money. I know Irwin and Rachel are deeply grateful to their wide community of family and friends who have already shown them so much support in so many ways. Please join me in raising $20,000 to get the Achmad family through these next steps of recovery.
Thank you,
Naomi
6/6/21: Message from Irwin
"I am humbled by all your support and deeply appreciate it. I am gaining momentum each day...slow but daily progress...towards the bigger goal of being able to square dance. ;) For now I have learned how to do the royal wave with my hand, and when aided by nerve stimulation, I am able to pedal. I am looking forward to getting back to Western Mass."
6/4/21 UPDATE: The first goal was met, and then the *second* goal was met. I am confident that I can speak for Rachel and Irwin when I say that they are overwhelmed with gratitude. I will be shutting down this fundraiser shortly, but I know we will all continue to show up for this family in the coming weeks and months. Thank you all so much.
6/2/21 UPDATE: The outpouring of support has been overwhelming for Rachel and Irwin -- in the best of ways. I am raising the fundraising goal since they do not yet know what their actual costs will be. Thank you to all of you. This community is amazing.
