Support Mike's Recovery from Broken Neck

Hi, I’m Kathi Wood from Braintree, Ma. This page is for my son, Mike Wood. He’s been in a near-death accident in Portland Oregon that broke his neck and upper spine. He’s had major neck/spine surgery plus multiple abdominal surgeries for life-threatening issues. Unfortunately, Mike is homeless, far from home and has no income. He’ll be discharged from the hospital very soon but he’ll need continued medical care and P.T. to properly heal. Your donations will be used primarily to secure a safe, housed situation so he can continue the months of recovery he has ahead of him. Funds will also be used for necessities like food/clothes/ transport and medical expenses. He has nothing but a backpack and the clothes he was wearing when the accident happened.

I’m 2,500 miles away from my injured son. My heart aches knowing he’s in pain and alone. I hope you will find it in your heart to donate so I can provide him with the care he needs to recover from this traumatic accident.

Mike’s an amazing drummer, incredible cook, cactus grower, bike builder, wrapped jewelry maker, and treasure finder. I love his smile and infectious laugh. To all who’ve known him, camped, cooked, played music, laughed or had an adventure with him please help him recover.

No donation is too small and is greatly appreciated. Please share in your networks!

Here's what happened:

On 1/18/23 Michael was riding an electric scooter when he ran into a random chain barrier that wasn’t visible. He was violently clotheslined which instantly broke his neck and spine.

Drs. surgically fused his C-3 – T-3 vertebrates, 5 in his neck plus 3 in his spine to prevent paralysis. He’s in a neck brace and will be for months. This permanently limits the mobility of his head/neck. It’s an absolute miracle he’s alive and not paralyzed and I’m so very grateful.

Then he had emergency surgery to repair a life-threatening bowel obstruction and strangulated hernia. That incision runs from his chest to his belly button and he’s had all kinds of tubes and drains in him for days.

He was making progress; all tubes were out and he just started to be able to eat but then….

On 1/30/23: He had another 6 hr emergency surgery to repair a gastric perforation. Now he has more tubes in him, is in constant pain and has been unable to eat for 8 days so far.

On 1/31/23: He was moved to ICU and put on a ventilator for an emergency procedure to stop internal bleeding which required blood transfusions. He’ll be in the hospital for an extended period of time.

It will be some time before we know just how these medical issues will affect his life but I am hopeful.

Your kind donations will help provide:

Temporary housing: to recover, continue medical treatments and connect with support services

Essentials: food/personal care/ clothes etc. He’s lost the few belongings he had.

Transport: appointments/grocery trips

Medical Expenses: unknown

Thank you for your care and concern and for sharing with your networks.

Kindly,

Kathi Wood ....... Mike's Mom forever and always!