Save Tripp's Neck Medical Fund
Donation protected
In July 2012, my brother, Tripp, suffered a serious head and neck injury at work that has left him with constant extreme pain, cervical instability, weakness, vertigo, nausea, seizures, stroke-like episodes, and speech and cognitive difficulties. Throughout this ordeal, the workers comp insurance company has not provided proper treatment or the medical tests needed to properly diagnose his injury.
Tripp and our family have paid thousands of dollars for tests and treatments that have provided a definitive diagnosis for the most serious of his injuries: a ruptured transverse ligament and joint cap in the C1 and C2 vertebrae, along with several other damaged ligaments, joints, and discs in his neck, which will require a complex upper cervical fusion surgery (and possibly a 2nd surgery on the lower cervical spine).
We cannot afford to pay for this surgery "“ and we cannot afford to delay his treatment any longer. Tripp has already lost critical time to reverse the damage to his neck, spine, and brain.
Because his condition continues to deteriorate, our family moved Tripp from Colorado back to Tennessee in November 2013 to care for him - he cannot take care of himself properly due to mobility issues and a mild traumatic brain injury. He can only be upright for very short periods of time and must lay down 18-20 hours each day.
Tripp's life is on the line "“ and our family is devastated by his condition. We are working to raise $100,000 ASAP to cover the cost of Tripp's first surgery and pre/post imaging and recovery care. We are hoping Tripp can have surgery in December 2013.
Tripp will also have some long-term medical needs, so our larger fundraising goal includes an additional $150,000 to cover physical therapy, further testing, ongoing medical treatments, a caregiver/nurse aid, and a possible second surgery to help to repair the other damage in his neck. He also has several hospital bills that have gone unpaid by the workers comp insurance company.
PLEASE consider a gift to help Tripp heal and regain the life he once loved. Every gift will make a difference in his healing and recovery "“ no matter what amount!
Tripp is thankful for every moment he has had with friends and family and for everyone, near and far, who has offered their encouragement and inspiration.
Thank you for your support and help in sharing this page with your network of family and friends!
Below you can learn more about Tripp's active and healthy life before the accident and the daily reality he faces now.
Prior to the accident, Tripp was an active, healthy person who loved the outdoors, loved helping others, and loved life. He loved traveling, hiking, snowboarding, cross country skiing, yoga, ballroom dance, tai chi, and whitewater rafting"”some of the best years of his life were on the Ocoee River in Tennessee and his many adventures across the U.S. He is also a talented musician and songwriter and often spent many hours a day playing his guitar and writing new songs. He has always been an active volunteer in the community.
Tripp never meets a stranger and is known by all for his positive spirit. Even in the depths of this horrible injury he continues to remain positive that he can heal, regain the active life he enjoyed so much, and help others on their healing journey.
Every day he struggles with extreme pain, vertigo, and nausea and has few effective moments to take care of routine tasks. Simple activities like walking, talking, riding in a car, moving, changing posture, washing, dressing, cooking, and eating are painful and difficult.
Tripp does as much as he can to be proactive in his own recovery. But he is forced to spend much of his day horizontally, icing his neck and head, or incapacitated due to seizures and stroke-like episodes that slur his speech and have resulted in numerous trips to the ER.
Without financial support, Tripp will not be able to get the surgery and treatment that he needs to heal and will lose critical time to reverse the damage to his neck, spine, and brain.
PLEASE take a moment to donate and share this page with your friends and network! Every gift will make a difference in his healing and recovery!
Below are just a few pictures of Tripp enjoying life. With support, surgery, and proper treatment, we hope he will be able to enjoy all of these activities again!
Tripp and our family have paid thousands of dollars for tests and treatments that have provided a definitive diagnosis for the most serious of his injuries: a ruptured transverse ligament and joint cap in the C1 and C2 vertebrae, along with several other damaged ligaments, joints, and discs in his neck, which will require a complex upper cervical fusion surgery (and possibly a 2nd surgery on the lower cervical spine).
We cannot afford to pay for this surgery "“ and we cannot afford to delay his treatment any longer. Tripp has already lost critical time to reverse the damage to his neck, spine, and brain.
Because his condition continues to deteriorate, our family moved Tripp from Colorado back to Tennessee in November 2013 to care for him - he cannot take care of himself properly due to mobility issues and a mild traumatic brain injury. He can only be upright for very short periods of time and must lay down 18-20 hours each day.
Tripp's life is on the line "“ and our family is devastated by his condition. We are working to raise $100,000 ASAP to cover the cost of Tripp's first surgery and pre/post imaging and recovery care. We are hoping Tripp can have surgery in December 2013.
Tripp will also have some long-term medical needs, so our larger fundraising goal includes an additional $150,000 to cover physical therapy, further testing, ongoing medical treatments, a caregiver/nurse aid, and a possible second surgery to help to repair the other damage in his neck. He also has several hospital bills that have gone unpaid by the workers comp insurance company.
PLEASE consider a gift to help Tripp heal and regain the life he once loved. Every gift will make a difference in his healing and recovery "“ no matter what amount!
Tripp is thankful for every moment he has had with friends and family and for everyone, near and far, who has offered their encouragement and inspiration.
Thank you for your support and help in sharing this page with your network of family and friends!
Below you can learn more about Tripp's active and healthy life before the accident and the daily reality he faces now.
Prior to the accident, Tripp was an active, healthy person who loved the outdoors, loved helping others, and loved life. He loved traveling, hiking, snowboarding, cross country skiing, yoga, ballroom dance, tai chi, and whitewater rafting"”some of the best years of his life were on the Ocoee River in Tennessee and his many adventures across the U.S. He is also a talented musician and songwriter and often spent many hours a day playing his guitar and writing new songs. He has always been an active volunteer in the community.
Tripp never meets a stranger and is known by all for his positive spirit. Even in the depths of this horrible injury he continues to remain positive that he can heal, regain the active life he enjoyed so much, and help others on their healing journey.
Every day he struggles with extreme pain, vertigo, and nausea and has few effective moments to take care of routine tasks. Simple activities like walking, talking, riding in a car, moving, changing posture, washing, dressing, cooking, and eating are painful and difficult.
Tripp does as much as he can to be proactive in his own recovery. But he is forced to spend much of his day horizontally, icing his neck and head, or incapacitated due to seizures and stroke-like episodes that slur his speech and have resulted in numerous trips to the ER.
Without financial support, Tripp will not be able to get the surgery and treatment that he needs to heal and will lose critical time to reverse the damage to his neck, spine, and brain.
PLEASE take a moment to donate and share this page with your friends and network! Every gift will make a difference in his healing and recovery!
Below are just a few pictures of Tripp enjoying life. With support, surgery, and proper treatment, we hope he will be able to enjoy all of these activities again!
Organizer
Jennifer Watts Hoff
Organizer
Chattanooga, TN
