What began as sudden back pain quickly became a life-threatening medical emergency. Within days, Ken underwent emergency surgery after a severe internal blood infection caused paralysis from the waist down. Today, he faces a long and uncertain recovery — and our community has the opportunity to rally around the Hovis family when they need it most.

On January 15th, Ken was admitted to Passavant Hospital with extreme back pain. Doctors soon discovered a dangerous abscess on his spinal cord caused by a widespread infection, requiring emergency spinal surgery — a procedure that ultimately saved his life.

Ken is now in the Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Facility at Mercy Hospital, where he is expected to remain for the coming weeks before transitioning to ongoing home health care and rehabilitation. While the future holds many unknowns, doctors have shared that he may require braces and/or a walker to walk again. Through it all, Ken and his family continue to lean on faith, hope, and the strength of those around them.

Why financial support is needed:

This sudden medical crisis brings with it significant expected (potentially unexpected) expenses including medical bills, rehabilitation services, specialized equipment, home health care, and everyday living costs during an extended recovery period. Any contribution — big or small — will help ease the financial burden and allow the family to focus fully on Ken’s healing and progress.

If you feel called to support, please consider donating, sharing this page, and keeping Ken and his family in your prayers as they take each step forward — one day at a time.