Support the Vedro Family

My name is Erik Augustson and this fundraiser is to raise money for Amy Vedro to help pay for the medical expenses related to Christopher Vedro's recent paralysis.

On May 4, 2023, Chris was riding his new electric bike on the Cape Cod rail trail when he hit something he didn’t see and was thrown from the bike; he was instantly paralyzed from the neck down. Sadly, he wasn’t found for a few hours and by the time he was, he had developed a severe case of pneumonia. Chris was medevacked by helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital where the doctors performed 2 emergency surgeries over the course of 24 hours. They were able to stabilize him, but, unfortunately he had several rib and cervical vertebrae fractures as well as a C5 spinal cord injury. The past two months have been extremely difficult, but with the help of some amazing doctors, nurses, therapists and his partner-for-life and high school sweetheart, Amy, Chris is now at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston working with some of the top doctors and physical therapists in the world.

Chris has always put everything he has into anything that he was doing. The hardest working person I have ever known, he financed the majority of his education at Brown University working 30-hour weeks while maintaining a full course load. He has run countless marathons and triathlons with an ultimate goal of becoming an Ironman. His greatest passions though are his daughters whom he has always encouraged to be themselves, follow their dreams, and lead a happy and purposeful life.

The youngest, Scarlett, is 10 and wise and mature beyond her years. She’s a precocious young lady with an effervescent personality that brings life and light into every room she enters. She, like her Dad, is a math and technology wiz. Some of their favorite things to do together are rock climbing and bowling.

Althea, who just turned 19, has had a passion for animals since she was very young. Chris and Amy have watched with pride as Ally advanced from 4-H to an agricultural high school and to college where she is now a sophomore in the Dairy Management program at UNH. She shares Chris’ quick wit and sense of humor as well as his love for music and spicy food. They enjoy live music and going to concerts together.

Chris has been working hard at Spaulding and is eagerly awaiting getting a customized motorized wheelchair. The drivers ed has already begun in the halls of Spaulding. Chris has proven he is quite proficient in navigating his trial chair through obstacle courses by moving his head to steer. Being unable to move on your own obviously presents many challenges, but Chris is motivated to learn new and creative ways to achieve his goals. Most recently, he found a workaround to being unable to reach his call button by asking Alexa to blast Metallica until someone came to see what the heck was going on in his room.

Over the years, Chris has always given so much more to others than he has ever expected in return – I can attest to this firsthand. At this time though, it is he and his family who need the support. Despite being divorced, Chris and Amy have chosen to tackle the future as a team. The girls are excited for their Dad to come home after rehab and they are all looking forward to being a family under one roof again. That being said, the road ahead for Chris and his family is not going to be easy. There are the obvious medical expenses, but also, the Vedros will need to retrofit their house, purchase an accessible vehicle to transport Chris and pay out of pocket for the simple things (not covered by insurance) that will make their everyday lives more manageable. They have already started gathering estimates for the work to be done and equipment needed in anticipation of Chris’ discharge home (currently scheduled for mid-September). The expenses will easily go into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Emotional support is just as important for their healing and sustenance though. Injuries such as this can take a very serious toll on the mentality of individuals afflicted and those closest to them. Thoughts and prayers are wonderful, but cards and messages of encouragement are even better. Thank you in advance for whatever support you are able to offer at this time. To the extent you are so inclined, please send cards to:

Christopher Vedro

c/o Amy Vedro

45 Ridge Ln

Swansea, MA 02777

The Vedros look forward to updating you on Chris’ progress both at rehab and once he returns home. If you would like to share and post pictures to the Aura digital picture frame in Chris’ room at Spaulding, contact Amy at [email redacted] for an invite to the app. It has really helped Chris feel connected to his family and friends and less isolated in these months away from home.