Dear Community,
In the third week of January, everything changed for Nick and his family.
After a serious tree-climbing accident, Nick sustained a fractured lower spine, a broken pelvis, broken ribs, and a broken foot. He was initially treated at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, where his spine was stabilized and pressure on his spinal cord was relieved, followed by surgical repair of his pelvis. That early, expert care was critical—but it was only the beginning of a much longer road.
Nick has now been transferred to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center’s Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Center for the first phase of his rehabilitation. This transition marks an important milestone. Nick is doing very well given the severity of his injuries: he has feeling in his legs, and full use of his upper body. His recovery is complicated by his broken pelvis and foot. Until those injuries heal further, parts of his rehab will necessarily be slower and more constrained.
Rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury is not something that happens passively. Jessie’s presence and participation are an essential part of Nick’s recovery. To make that possible—and to ensure Nick can see and stay connected to his kids—Jessie and the children have temporarily relocated to an Airbnb near the rehab center. This allows Jessie to support Nick through daily therapy while maintaining some stability for the family during an incredibly disruptive time.
Nick’s medical team has been clear: recovery from this kind of trauma is a marathon, not a sprint. This first inpatient rehab phase is just the beginning. Months of ongoing therapy are expected, followed by continued rehabilitation closer to home, along with adjustments to daily life, caregiving needs, and likely home modifications.
While insurance will cover much of the direct medical care, there are significant costs that are not covered: temporary housing, travel, childcare, rehabilitation-related expenses, and lost income while Nick is unable to work and Jessie is focused on caregiving. These pressures add quickly to an already overwhelming situation.
We are launching this GoFundMe so that Nick and Jessie can focus on healing and recovery—not on how to absorb the financial impact of this moment. Funds will go toward essential living and rehabilitation-related expenses, income replacement, family support during relocation, and the practical needs that come with rebuilding life after a serious injury.
We will continue to share updates as Nick progresses through rehabilitation, and we are deeply grateful for the care, generosity, and support surrounding this family.
- Melinda and Liz