Support William's Spinal Rehab Journey

My name is Jacquilla and I am raising funds on behalf of my husband William "Bill" Gillette. He loves playing bluegrass music, specifically the mandolin and guitar. He plays for his church and for nursing homes and other events. He enjoys being outdoors, whether camping, hiking, bicycling and riding his motorcycle with me. He even enjoys the simple things like sitting on the porch watching it rain or listening to the birds or just looking at the mist rise over the mountains down the valley.

He also loves his work as an engineer and enjoys problem solving whether in his normal day job or his engineering consulting business. Whether at the work place, a site visit, church or home, the one thing he really enjoys most is spending time with his friends and family.

Unfortunately, he was in a single motorcycle accident on the 19th of July. He was test riding my motorcycle after making some maintenance repairs in order to make sure it was safe for me to ride. The accident occurred about 2-3 miles from our house and he was taken to UT Hospital. The accident gave him a broken knee cap, 3-4 broken ribs, a broken collar bone, a shattered shoulder joint which will necessitate a reverse shoulder replacement and last but not least, several fractured vertebrae in his back. It is the back injury that has left him unable to walk. His spinal cord was compressed but not severed. We applied and got accepted to a special rehab facility in Atlanta that specializes in spinal chord injury in hopes that the rehab will help facilitate his recovery and ability walk again.

During this time he is not able to or be at work for a long time. So, while it is difficult for us to do this i.e. ask for money help, we may need a little assistance. I am in process of completing my master's degree but will also be going with him during this time in order to learn about and assist in his care. Though I will be working as much as possible remotely, I will still be taking care of/manage our engineering business, managing the house hold needs and continuing with my schooling and covering any additional expenses we may need at the rehab. This is going to be a bit tough, thus the reason we have started this fundraiser.

IF anyone wishes to donate, please know that we deeply appreciate it and will use the funds wisely. Any funds we receive will be used first and foremost for any of his needs at the rehab facility. They have given us a list of things that we will need to get for him that is required for his therapy. It will be used for his medicine, special medical supplies that are needed, and clothing for his rehab therapy. After which some of the funds may used my meals at the rehab or for food I may need to purchase if not covered while at the rehab facility. It would be used for fuel should I need to travel from Atlanta back to Knoxville for any reason, and maybe to assist in covering some of our house hold expenses. Receipts will be kept for everything should anyone wish to see them.

As I said before, we're not used to asking for help very often much less for financial assistance. So what ever the amount, no matter what size will be very appreciated.

Sincerely,

Jacquilla Gillette