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"Give Todd a Hand or Two"!

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My Story

It was December 2013.   I  was doing well and loving my job of 20+ years as a barber at Brother’s Finest Barber Shop.  I had purchased a car that I was paying for the very first time in my life.  I had just moved into a house for me and my two kids (Todd, 15 and Tyra, 14) and I was looking forward to Christmas.  However, on December 9th, the unthinkable happened:  I became very ill.  At first I thought it was the flu because of the symptoms and stayed home from work.  On the second day, I was getting worse and I decided to go to the emergency room.  After emergency surgery and other tests, I was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and admitted to the hospital.  I was placed on a ventilator and fighting for my life……after that everything else is a blur.

I was informed that the doctors started treating me with very aggressive antibiotics.   My organs began shutting down, my temperature remained at 105 degrees and the doctors didn’t think I was going to make it. They were preparing my family for the worse.  But, with prayer and God’s plan for my life I made it.  I woke up about a week later.  My hands and feet had begun to turn black from the lack of blood.  I was blistered over 80% of my body from the infection.  It was as if I had been badly burned.

The doctors said it was a miracle that I survived.  There are about 1000 cases of bacterial meningitis a year in the United States and  70% of those cases are fatal.  God blessed me and kept me alive and for this I am eternally grateful.  

I was moved to The Ohio State University Burn Unit.  The wonderful doctors and staff treated me for the burns and although the doctors tried to save my hands and feet, there was too much damage.  They had to amputate both hands and both legs below the knee.  Although this has changed my life forever, I am recovering, with help and prayers from many wonderful people. I went from being very involved in the community and an independent father, to someone who needs constant help twenty-four hours a day. My daily routine consists of physical & occupational therapy, doctor’s appointments and counseling.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

I have been fitted with prosthetic arms but they are not practical and don’t allow me the ability to function with them.  Because of the condition of my skin, it is taking longer for my limbs to heal and to be able to wear the leg prosthetics on a continual basis right now. I would love to be able to have prosthetics that are moveable and that I could take part in daily activities but they are very expensive.   I know I have been blessed in spite of the effects of this terrible disease.  Although I still wonder why me, because it can happen to anyone, I know God has a plan for my life.  He was preparing me for this by giving me added strength and putting the right people in my life at the right time.  I’m determined to keep a positive attitude, give testimony whenever I can to what God can do, get my life back by becoming as independent as possible and being a good father to my kids.

Any donation that you are able to give is greatly appreciated and I sincerely "Thank You" for your continued prayers for me and my family! 

Sincerely,

Todd Hammond
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Donations 

  • Timothy Price
    • $50 
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

LaTonga Nicole
Organizer
Columbus, OH

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