Support Sam & Destri Through a Long Road to Recovery

On Friday evening, what was supposed to be the start of a fun weekend turned into a life-altering emergency for Sam. Shortly after arriving at their property and heading out on his first ride, a mechanical failure caused the throttle on his machine to stick wide open. Sam had only moments to react before crashing into the trees. He attempted to bail, which spared his upper body, but both legs suffered devastating injuries.

Emergency response was delayed due to the remote location, and by the time Sam arrived at the hospital—over two hours later—he had already lost two-thirds of his blood. His left femur was broken in two places, pinching his femoral artery, which led to massive internal bleeding. His right leg also suffered a broken tibia and fibula, and he currently has no feeling in that foot—an issue doctors are monitoring closely.

Sam has undergone multiple critical surgeries so far, none yet to set his broken bones. Initial procedures focused on saving his life—draining pooled blood, relieving pressure from his artery, and attempting to stabilize his condition. His wounds remain open, with a wound vac in place until further surgeries can be done. His medical team is working around the clock to stabilize his blood levels and address concerning signs of liver and kidney damage. Every day brings new challenges, and the possibility of amputation is still on the table.

Sam is a proud Marine Veteran who has always shown strength, resilience, and loyalty—qualities that continue to shine through as he faces this immense battle. While Sam faces months of recovery and will be unable to work for the foreseeable future, his wife Destri has temporarily relocated from Kalamazoo to Petoskey to be by his side throughout this ordeal. They are both doing their best to stay strong during this incredibly difficult time.

We’re asking for help to ease the financial burden of medical bills, temporary relocation, and lost income so Sam and Destri can focus fully on healing and recovery. Every contribution, no matter the size, means the world to them.

Thank you for your support, love, and prayers during this difficult time.

5/6 Update - We got some hopeful news - Sam’s labs have improved enough for him to be cleared for surgery to set his femur, scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th. If all goes well, he’ll have another surgery on Friday, May 9th, to set the fibula and tibia in his right leg. It’s a long road, but we’re moving forward, one day at a time, holding on to hope and taking each small step as a victory.

As Sam begins what will be a long and challenging road to recovery, we’ve adjusted our fundraising goal to better reflect the growing needs of his care and to help ease the financial strain on the family. The original goal was set based on the initial outlook, but with extended hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and the recovery ahead, your continued support means more than ever.

Thank you for standing with Sam and his family through this journey. Every donation, share, and kind word lifts them up.

5/7 Update - We’re grateful to share that Sam’s surgery on his left leg was a success. The surgeons were able to close his open wounds and place the rod that runs from his hip past his knee. They also successfully inserted the internal stent for his femoral artery - though he will need another surgery for that down the line. His next surgery is scheduled for Thursday, May 8th, to set the broken bones in his right leg.

While we’re incredibly thankful for the progress, Sam is currently experiencing a lot of pain - more than before. It’s been a tough stretch, but the medical team has been amazing. They’ve made his comfort and care a top priority, and we’re deeply grateful for their dedication.

Please keep Sam in your thoughts as he continues to recover. Every bit of encouragement means a lot right now.

5/9 Update - Yesterday’s surgery to repair Sam’s leg was far more intense than expected - taking five long hours to place the plate and screws. It was successful, but the pain afterward was excruciating. It took time, but the doctors managed to get it under control, and he’s now being closely watched for any signs of complications.

Today brought a much-needed win: after 7 days, Sam is officially out of the ICU. He’s met with his physical therapist and is working toward rehab at Mary Free Bed -hopefully by Monday or Tuesday.

He’s still at high risk for blood clots and on blood thinners, but we’re moving in the right direction. Tonight, he and his wife are taking a quiet moment to breathe, reflect, and feel grateful.

Thank you for walking beside them through this. Your support means more than we can say.

5/14 Update - Today, Sam took another big step on his recovery journey - he has officially been transferred from the hospital in Petoskey to Mary Free Bed, where he will begin physical therapy tomorrow. While this move is a positive and necessary next step, it was a very hard transfer for him physically. Sam is still in significant pain and is experiencing ongoing numbness in his feet, which makes things even more difficult.

This transition marks progress, but it also reminds us just how long and challenging the road ahead will be. Sam is facing the monumental task of learning to walk again, and every step will require strength, patience, and support.

One bright spot is that Mary Free Bed is closer to home, which has opened the door to more visits from friends and family - something that’s been so important for keeping Sam’s spirits up.

Destri also returned to work on Monday, and that adjustment has been tough on both of them. Balancing everything - healing, work, emotions, and the unknowns has been overwhelming at times.

We continue to be deeply grateful for all the love, prayers, and generosity from everyone supporting Sam. Please continue to share Sam’s story and keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

5/21 Update - We wanted to share an important update on Sam's condition. Last Friday, we received the difficult news that Sam has developed blood clots in both legs. His medical team responded quickly by increasing his blood thinner dosage, and we’re all holding on to hope that this intervention will help. Sam remains in a critical stage, and close monitoring is essential right now. This part of his journey is fragile, and every moment counts.

But even in the midst of this challenge, there have been glimmers of hope. Over the past few days, Sam has made meaningful progress in physical and occupational therapy. Just last week, even the smallest movements brought him excruciating pain. While the pain is still intense and remains a challenge to manage, Sam is pushing through with incredible determination. He’s now able to transfer himself from his bed to wheelchair and has even taken a few laps around the hallway. It's a huge step forward, and a much-needed lift to his spirits.

We continue to be amazed by Sam’s resilience and the incredible support around him. Thank you for being part of this journey - your love, prayers, and donations mean more than words can express.

Please keep Sam in your thoughts. We’ll continue to keep sharing updates as we walk this path with him, one hopeful step at a time.