Help Pierce - H.S. Senior paralyzed when sledding

High school senior, Pierce, sustained a severe spinal cord injury on January 13, 2019 while sledding at an elementary school near his home in Virginia.  Pierce was enjoying a swift run, watching the snow fall, when he suddenly crashed head on into a fence.  His shoulder hit the fence post, fracturing his right clavicle.  The momentum of his body carried forward and shattered his T-5 vertebra. As a result, Pierce became paralyzed from the chest down.




He remained in the Neuro-ICU at VCU in Richmond from January 13, 2019 until he was sent home on February 15, 2019.   He needs to go to a rehabilitation center but cannot go until the clavicle heals.  Pierce will then go to a spine injury rehab center to learn to live as a paraplegic.

Pierce’s mom has made their living room his bedroom. Now, they will begin the process of expanding the only bathroom downstairs from a half bath into a full bathroom that will allow for this 6’ 2’’ 200 lb young man to have full wheelchair accessibility. Due to the elevation of the home, he will need an electric lift and platform in the garage and wider doorways to be able to access his home. The ongoing needs are huge. 

Pierce’s mom, Darlena, is a hairdresser, living paycheck to paycheck, with some care, prayers and support from family, friends and their church. She has only been able to work less than half of her normal hours during this crisis to be in the hospital, and tend to Pierce. 

Your financial assistance will help pay for necessary renovations, modifications, and adaptive technology that must be made to the house, and needs that are not yet known.  In addition, Pierce’s mom needs a specialized wheelchair-accessible vehicle to transport him....and hopefully that he may be able to drive independently one day.   They currently have no way to transport him.

Thankfully, Pierce has a supportive family and friends. He is eager to finish his last year of high school, and return to band, hanging out with friends and his love for art and music. He has an amazing attitude about the hope of his future and is not going to let this defeat him! But first, his home must have the necessary renovations to accommodate his needs allowing access to enter and exit the home and bathing. Then, he needs to go to  rehab to learn new living skills.  The cost of his continuing medical expenses are unknown and daunting. 





Pierce, in his band uniform, and his mom, Darlena before his accident.