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In May 1988 our family's lives changed forever. My younger brother, Kelly, suffered a C5 spinal cord injury while performing bicycle stunts in front of a crowd of over 300 people. He was doing what he loved most, entertaining groups of kids and showing them bicycle tricks and stunts that most people would consider nearly impossible to do. He was an early pioneer of freestyle BMX and was one of the best at what he did until one small miscalculation caused him to crash head first into the concrete from over 15 feet high, severing his spinal cord and permanently paralyzing him from the neck down. He was only 19 years old.
For most people, the story might have ended there but knowing my brother, we knew better. Even in our wildest dreams, however, we could not have imagined the obstacles he would have to overcome and the amazing things he would be able to accomplish over the next 28 years of his life.
After over a year in rehabilitation, Kelly learned to type on a keyboard using a long stick placed in his mouth and over the years he slowly taught himself how to program computers. He progressed into complicated computer animations and has succeessfully worked independently from home in 3D software development for over 20 years.
Five years ago, Kelly relocated from Missouri back to our childhood home of Houston, Texas, where he reunited with and ultimately married his highschool sweetheart. Then, much to our surprise, he and his new wife adopted a beautiful baby girl, Anne Marie.
Thoughout the entire journey of living with his disability he has remained strong and remains an inspiration (although he hates this word)
to all that have had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with him.
Since he began working all those years ago, he has never asked for or received any government disability. He has always been proud of the fact that he was and is still able to provide for himself and his family and he remains fiercely independent. However, now with a new wife and a new baby he desparately needs a handicapped accessible van that the entire family can safely drive and depend on. The van will be used for transportation to the many doctors appointments and checkups for both himself and his new daughter but also for the many upcoming school events that he will want to attend over the upcoming years.
Unfortunately, due to the equipment necessary to make a van accessible , it drives the cost up considerably. The price of a newer accessible van tops $60,000.
Since Kelly has helped so many people over the years either by inspiring them in their own lives or actually repairing the hundreds of computers for friends and family over the years, I feel it is time for us to return the favor and help him purchase a new van.
I am asking anyone that has ever been moved or inspired by my brother's journey to please donate what ever amount you can find in your hearts to help us achieve this goal.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story.
-Jamie Patterson
Pic of Kelly minutes before his accident.
For most people, the story might have ended there but knowing my brother, we knew better. Even in our wildest dreams, however, we could not have imagined the obstacles he would have to overcome and the amazing things he would be able to accomplish over the next 28 years of his life.
After over a year in rehabilitation, Kelly learned to type on a keyboard using a long stick placed in his mouth and over the years he slowly taught himself how to program computers. He progressed into complicated computer animations and has succeessfully worked independently from home in 3D software development for over 20 years.
Five years ago, Kelly relocated from Missouri back to our childhood home of Houston, Texas, where he reunited with and ultimately married his highschool sweetheart. Then, much to our surprise, he and his new wife adopted a beautiful baby girl, Anne Marie.
Thoughout the entire journey of living with his disability he has remained strong and remains an inspiration (although he hates this word)
to all that have had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with him.
Since he began working all those years ago, he has never asked for or received any government disability. He has always been proud of the fact that he was and is still able to provide for himself and his family and he remains fiercely independent. However, now with a new wife and a new baby he desparately needs a handicapped accessible van that the entire family can safely drive and depend on. The van will be used for transportation to the many doctors appointments and checkups for both himself and his new daughter but also for the many upcoming school events that he will want to attend over the upcoming years.
Unfortunately, due to the equipment necessary to make a van accessible , it drives the cost up considerably. The price of a newer accessible van tops $60,000.
Since Kelly has helped so many people over the years either by inspiring them in their own lives or actually repairing the hundreds of computers for friends and family over the years, I feel it is time for us to return the favor and help him purchase a new van.
I am asking anyone that has ever been moved or inspired by my brother's journey to please donate what ever amount you can find in your hearts to help us achieve this goal.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story.
-Jamie Patterson
Pic of Kelly minutes before his accident.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly Michels
Beneficiary