GJ Doedee Recovery Fund! Motorcycle Victim
Donation protected
GJ has always extended his hand in friendship to everyone he meets; let's show him love and support in his time of need so he can draw strength from it for every step down his long road to recovery. Your donation in any amount will go directly to GJ to ease the financial burden after a life-changing, tragic motorcycle accident, including the burden of limited insurance coverage from the other party.
HIS STORY: On October 31, 2018, Gerardus (GJ) Doedee was the victim of a serious motorcycle accident. While stopped at a stop sign at an intersection less than a mile from his home, the driver of a large vehicle took the turn too fast, coming into GJ’s lane and hitting him almost head-on. Unresponsive at the site of the accident, he was airlifted to the Level I Trauma Unit at Westchester Medical Center (WMC) in Hawthorne, NY, remaining in the Trauma ICU for six days. His injuries included a broken tibia and femur in his left leg, 3rd degree burns on his left leg, 9 broken ribs, a collapsed left lung, multiple complex fractures around both eye sockets and cheeks, a broken nose, a broken palate, 4 teeth knocked out and 2 teeth broken. In addition, he suffered from a subdural hematoma, corneal edema, and lacerations, scratches and bruises.
While in the Trauma ICU, GJ underwent two surgeries. The first surgery addressed his leg injuries. During this operation, in order to stabilize his broken femur, a metal rod was inserted alongside the bone. The tibia break was also addressed, and after the operation, his left leg was fixed in place with a brace. A treatment regimen for his burns was also established. In the second operation, GJ’s face was reconstructed: metal plates were inserted to repair the complex fractures around the eye sockets & cheeks. The broken nose was fixed and the palate was sutured. In order to ensure proper healing, GJ’s jaws were wired shut. After the second operation, GJ was moved to the medical/surgical floor at WMC, where doctors continued to monitor his injuries. After six further days, GJ was released to Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital (HHRH) in West Haverstraw, NY.
GJ spent almost four weeks at HHRH. He was admitted to an intensive course of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. During this time he was learning to properly drink through a straw and manage every-day tasks like washing up, taking a shower, going to the bathroom, getting dressed, using a walker, crutches & wheelchair, navigating stairs & other obstacles, and preparing easy meals, etc. GJ’s cognitive abilities were assessed and found to be OK. He also managed to finally beat the C. Diff infection that had been affecting him since the 3rd day at WMC, which was adding insult to injury. Currently GJ is recovering at home. Following 4 weeks of in-home nursing care and physical therapy sessions, he has now started outpatient physical therapy and is learning to walk again.
At this time, this fund-raising account is being set up to assist with the out-of-pocket medical costs associated with his surgeries, therapies, and recovery, including visits to orthopedic, ophthalmologic, neurologic, dental and burn specialists. GJ will have to undergo additional surgeries to fix his dental issues. There may be other additional surgeries as well.
GJ has always been an honest, hard worker and has been working as an IT professional. Aside from his love of motorcycle rides, he participates every year in the Bike NY Five Boro Tour on his Batavus bicycle. He has been a member of the Germania Almrausch Schuhplattler Verein for 18 years, where he has served as an officer for 17 of them, including Vorplattler (dance leader). He is well-liked in the Trachtler community, and his Schuhplattler family is pulling for his recovery so he can return to the dance floor. "It’s heart-warming and humbling to receive this much attention and, again, I appreciate it very much." Although GJ is progressing, he has a long way yet to go. He has a deep love for his two daughters and family, and is thankful for all of their love and continued support. He has a positive outlook and is working hard to regain his ability to walk and enjoy all of the things in life that he was able to before the accident.
HIS STORY: On October 31, 2018, Gerardus (GJ) Doedee was the victim of a serious motorcycle accident. While stopped at a stop sign at an intersection less than a mile from his home, the driver of a large vehicle took the turn too fast, coming into GJ’s lane and hitting him almost head-on. Unresponsive at the site of the accident, he was airlifted to the Level I Trauma Unit at Westchester Medical Center (WMC) in Hawthorne, NY, remaining in the Trauma ICU for six days. His injuries included a broken tibia and femur in his left leg, 3rd degree burns on his left leg, 9 broken ribs, a collapsed left lung, multiple complex fractures around both eye sockets and cheeks, a broken nose, a broken palate, 4 teeth knocked out and 2 teeth broken. In addition, he suffered from a subdural hematoma, corneal edema, and lacerations, scratches and bruises.
While in the Trauma ICU, GJ underwent two surgeries. The first surgery addressed his leg injuries. During this operation, in order to stabilize his broken femur, a metal rod was inserted alongside the bone. The tibia break was also addressed, and after the operation, his left leg was fixed in place with a brace. A treatment regimen for his burns was also established. In the second operation, GJ’s face was reconstructed: metal plates were inserted to repair the complex fractures around the eye sockets & cheeks. The broken nose was fixed and the palate was sutured. In order to ensure proper healing, GJ’s jaws were wired shut. After the second operation, GJ was moved to the medical/surgical floor at WMC, where doctors continued to monitor his injuries. After six further days, GJ was released to Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital (HHRH) in West Haverstraw, NY.
GJ spent almost four weeks at HHRH. He was admitted to an intensive course of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. During this time he was learning to properly drink through a straw and manage every-day tasks like washing up, taking a shower, going to the bathroom, getting dressed, using a walker, crutches & wheelchair, navigating stairs & other obstacles, and preparing easy meals, etc. GJ’s cognitive abilities were assessed and found to be OK. He also managed to finally beat the C. Diff infection that had been affecting him since the 3rd day at WMC, which was adding insult to injury. Currently GJ is recovering at home. Following 4 weeks of in-home nursing care and physical therapy sessions, he has now started outpatient physical therapy and is learning to walk again.
At this time, this fund-raising account is being set up to assist with the out-of-pocket medical costs associated with his surgeries, therapies, and recovery, including visits to orthopedic, ophthalmologic, neurologic, dental and burn specialists. GJ will have to undergo additional surgeries to fix his dental issues. There may be other additional surgeries as well.
GJ has always been an honest, hard worker and has been working as an IT professional. Aside from his love of motorcycle rides, he participates every year in the Bike NY Five Boro Tour on his Batavus bicycle. He has been a member of the Germania Almrausch Schuhplattler Verein for 18 years, where he has served as an officer for 17 of them, including Vorplattler (dance leader). He is well-liked in the Trachtler community, and his Schuhplattler family is pulling for his recovery so he can return to the dance floor. "It’s heart-warming and humbling to receive this much attention and, again, I appreciate it very much." Although GJ is progressing, he has a long way yet to go. He has a deep love for his two daughters and family, and is thankful for all of their love and continued support. He has a positive outlook and is working hard to regain his ability to walk and enjoy all of the things in life that he was able to before the accident.
Organizer and beneficiary
Karen Rose
Organizer
Poughkeepsie, NY
Gerardus Doedee
Beneficiary
