Hello friends. Josh has been in the SICU for 70+ days fighting for his life. During that time, I've had multiple people reach out asking how they could help. We decided to create a GoFundMe to assist with Josh’s medical bills and expenses. Please share, and thank you for continuing to pray!

Josh was a passenger in a terrible car accident on Thursday, February 13th. Josh rode with a friend on what was to be a quick trip to the grocery store, but the unthinkable happened. In an attempt to avoid another vehicle, the driver veered right, leaving the roadway and crashing into a tree on Clinton-Tinnin Road. Josh was trapped in the car as the rescue team worked fervently to free him from the twisted metal with the jaws of life. Josh remained conscious long enough for his family to arrive and to tell them he loved them. Once out of the car, he was taken to UMMC, where his blood pressure plummeted. He went into hemorrhagic shock and cardiac arrest. With no time to take him to the OR, ER personnel had to perform a clamshell thoracotomy (CST), a technique used to provide complete exposure of the thoracic cavity—heart, mediastinum, and lungs (survival rate for this procedure is very low, but Josh has defied the statistical odds with the help of God!). Once he was able to be transported, Josh was taken to the OR, where he had multiple surgeries throughout the night.

Josh had multiple fractures in his pelvis, ribs, spine, right ankle, and both feet. He had complete fractures of the fibula and tibia in his left leg. He has a traumatic brain injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome making him vent-dependent, and acute renal failure requiring “24-hour dialysis," or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Josh has had a total of twelve surgeries to date on his pelvis, chest, abdomen, leg, head, and backside. His chest and abdomen remained open for a week as surgeons continued to watch the areas for internal bleeding and performed exploratory surgeries. Josh has been on sedatives, paralytics, and a “do not move” order due to the volatility of his condition. Unfortunately, this extended period of immobility has led to additional pressure wounds on his head and body. In addition to the initial near-fatal event, twice doctors have told us, “There is nothing more they could do to medically help Josh.” Both times we helplessly watched as Josh’s lungs failed—oxygen saturation and blood pressure dropped and CO2 levels rose. Without adequate oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, he experienced respiratory acidosis because the kidneys and lungs couldn’t keep his body's pH in balance. We were further crushed when informed Josh was not a viable candidate for ECMO (heart and lungs bypass machine), the one thing we were told could possibly help him. As we prayed in the hours following, refusing to say our goodbyes, we were witness to a miraculous turn in his condition. Josh has more surgeries to go and is still not out of danger, but WE ARE TRUSTING GOD TO SEE JOSH THROUGH!

Josh has touched the hearts of all who know him. Now, he needs our help. We want to extend an opportunity for those who wish to contribute and support him in his time of need. His battle is not of his own making, and medical bills are accumulating, creating a financial burden that is impossible to bear alone. We kindly ask for your generosity and support during this difficult time. Any contribution, big or small, will make a huge difference in ensuring Josh receives the care he urgently needs today and in the months to come. If you feel led to contribute, please do. Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and most of all, your prayers.

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