Support Max's Spinal Cord Recovery

If you know my amazing brother Max, you know his adventurous spirit, his big smile, and his gentle soul. He’s the kind of person who brings energy and laughter into every room and the kind of brother you can always count on.

On Saturday, September 6th, 2025, Max’s life changed in an instant.

Just days after moving to Sydney, Australia, on a year-long work visa, Max went to the beach with friends. While wading through waist-deep water, he dove forward and unknowingly struck a hidden sandbar, fracturing his C5 vertebra.

Thanks to a series of fast, life-saving actions, an off-duty lifeguard who rushed to his side, emergency responders just down the road, and the incredible trauma team at Royal North Shore Hospital—Max made it to surgery in time. During a six-hour operation, surgeons removed the fractured vertebra, performed a bone graft, and secured his neck with plates and screws.

After surgery, Max was placed in the ICU, sedated and intubated, since the C5 nerves control breathing. In the days that followed, his diaphragm began to recover, and the breathing tube was removed. Today, Max is awake, alert, and beginning the long road to recovery.

Right now, Max has limited mobility in his limbs, and the future holds many unknowns. But if you know Max, you know his strength, stubborn determination, and big heart. Our family mantra has become: “Little victories lead to big victories.” Already, Max is working toward those victories every single day.

This accident has left us with a mountain of unexpected challenges. Donations will go directly toward:

We are endlessly grateful to the friends who stepped in as family when we couldn’t be there yet—especially Ollie and Sofie Scott, the entire Scott family, and Matty Winston and his family—for being Max’s guardian angels during the scariest moments of our lives.

In an effort to maximize donations, we have partnered with Mayflower Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Englewood, CO, allowing donations to be tax-deductible. 100% of every gift will go directly toward Max’s care.

For those who want to follow Max’s journey, we’ve also created a CaringBridge site where we’ll share updates, stories, and the little victories that will carry him forward.

No donation is too small, and every single share or message of support makes a difference. Max’s journey is just beginning, and with your love and generosity, we know brighter days are ahead.