Dear family and friends,

I am reaching out with a hopeful heart, asking for your support of my brother and your friend or family member, Joe "Joey" Buechner, and his wife, Victoria.

In the early hours of November 24th, Joey slipped in the shower and fell in a way that left him battered, bloodied, and temporarily paralyzed. 911 was called, and he was rushed to SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, where he would be admitted for the following week.

Day one was spent in the critical care unit, where it was decided he would undergo spinal surgery the following morning. His amazing surgeon performed a C3-C4 spinal fusion, and he was diagnosed with central cord syndrome. Days two through seven were spent in the acute care unit at St. Mary's, where he would begin the process of learning to walk again and use his hands.

On December 1st, Joey was transferred and admitted to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Fitchburg, where he would spend the next seven days doing intense occupational and physical therapy. He "graduated" from Encompass Health and walked out on his own, but not before hitting the graduation gong on his way out, which is the picture you see above. :)

Since then, he has been doing outpatient occupational/physical therapy, which will continue for many weeks or months. He is currently out of work on disability until he recovers and can go back to the job he loves. To compound things even further, Victoria found out she was laid off within days of the accident.

Joey does have health insurance, but they have been left with many overwhelming expenses (medical bills, out-of-pocket costs for medications, physical and occupational therapy, and lost wages, to name a few).

I am asking for your support in pitching in whatever you can to help with these expenses and to help ease some of the burden so Joey can focus on healing.

Joey recently informed me that some close family members have already sent him money to help. To those friends and family, this message can obviously be disregarded and we thank you so very much. Your generosity is so INCREDIBLY appreciated.

I hope everyone continues to have a wonderful holiday season. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and consider donating.

Love,

Maura Dunleavy