On Friday, April 4th, our family got the call no parent should ever receive: our 12-year-old son, Myles Beardsley, had been shot in the neck while spending the night at a friend’s house.

Myles was airlifted first to Tacoma General, then transferred to Harborview Medical Center. On Tuesday, April 7th, he underwent a 9-hour emergency surgery. Doctors worked to relieve pressure on his spinal cord, remove damaged bone, and stabilize his neck and upper spine to give him the best possible chance at healing.

His injuries were devastating, and Myles is now paralyzed from the neck down. In an instant, his whole life changed. He now faces a long road ahead filled with recovery, rehabilitation, and learning how to navigate life in a completely new way.

Right now, Robert and Alora are staying in Seattle to be by Myles’s side while their two other children remain at home in the care of family friends. We are doing everything we can to stay strong for all of our children, but the emotional and financial strain is overwhelming.

We are asking for help to cover:

• medical-related expenses not covered by insurance

• meals while we stay near the hospital

• gas and transportation

• parking passes

• lodging and basic needs

• support for our children at home

• future rehabilitation and home adjustments for Myles’s needs

If you are able to donate, share, or keep Myles in your thoughts and prayers, it would mean more than we can ever express. Every bit of support helps us stay focused on what matters most: helping our son heal.

Thank you for standing with Myles and our family during the hardest time of our lives.