Sureshbhai Patel's Recovery Fund
Elderly Indian Man and Family in Need of Help!
Sureshbhai Patel, 57, had recently arrived to the United States to help his son and daughter-in-law care for their 17-month-old child.
Less than a week later, Patel was approached by the Madison Police Department in response to a suspicious person call. Sureshbhai, who does not speak English, struggled to communicate with the police. In an attempt to search him, Patel was forced to the ground by an officer and severly injured (left partially paralyzed).
Patel underwent surgery the next day at Huntsville Hospital where doctors performed a cervical fusion. Sureshbhai faces a long recovery and is only beginning to regain feeling in his arms and one leg.
The family has hired a local attorney to sue the Madison Police Department.
The funds raised will be provided directly to the family to help cover the costs for hospitalization, PT, OT, and other therapies which will be huge out-of-pocket expenses. And while legal action against the police department is being taken, it may be years before Sureshbhai and his family are adequately compensated not only for his physical injuries, but their pain and suffering. The immediate costs to help the family help Sureshbhai recover, however, cannot be deferred in the hopes of any legal settlement.
(Aakash) - I'm a member of the Indian community supporting this cause. I've spoken directly with Hank Sherrod (family attorney) and Chirag Patel (the son of Sureshbhai) to get approval for starting this Go Fund Me. All donation withdrawals from the Go Fund Me will be managed by the family of Sureshbhai -- I can not personally authorize or request any withdrawals from this campaign.
Please reach out directly if you have any questions, thank you for your support.
Video:
Madison Police Chief: Officer charged with assault, also recommended for termination after incident that severely injured Indian man
Madison man stunned after father hospitalized during encounter with police
Link to Articles:
HAF Urges Immediate Action to Curb Police Brutality
Visiting from India, grandfather badly hurt in encounter; officer arrested
Grandfather visiting Alabama from India stopped by police while taking walk, left partly paralyzed
Officer on leave after use of force incident
US policeman leaves Indian partially paralyzed
+ Read More
Sureshbhai Patel, 57, had recently arrived to the United States to help his son and daughter-in-law care for their 17-month-old child.
Less than a week later, Patel was approached by the Madison Police Department in response to a suspicious person call. Sureshbhai, who does not speak English, struggled to communicate with the police. In an attempt to search him, Patel was forced to the ground by an officer and severly injured (left partially paralyzed).
Patel underwent surgery the next day at Huntsville Hospital where doctors performed a cervical fusion. Sureshbhai faces a long recovery and is only beginning to regain feeling in his arms and one leg.
The family has hired a local attorney to sue the Madison Police Department.
The funds raised will be provided directly to the family to help cover the costs for hospitalization, PT, OT, and other therapies which will be huge out-of-pocket expenses. And while legal action against the police department is being taken, it may be years before Sureshbhai and his family are adequately compensated not only for his physical injuries, but their pain and suffering. The immediate costs to help the family help Sureshbhai recover, however, cannot be deferred in the hopes of any legal settlement.
(Aakash) - I'm a member of the Indian community supporting this cause. I've spoken directly with Hank Sherrod (family attorney) and Chirag Patel (the son of Sureshbhai) to get approval for starting this Go Fund Me. All donation withdrawals from the Go Fund Me will be managed by the family of Sureshbhai -- I can not personally authorize or request any withdrawals from this campaign.
Please reach out directly if you have any questions, thank you for your support.
Video:
Madison Police Chief: Officer charged with assault, also recommended for termination after incident that severely injured Indian man
Madison man stunned after father hospitalized during encounter with police
Link to Articles:
HAF Urges Immediate Action to Curb Police Brutality
Visiting from India, grandfather badly hurt in encounter; officer arrested
Grandfather visiting Alabama from India stopped by police while taking walk, left partly paralyzed
Officer on leave after use of force incident
US policeman leaves Indian partially paralyzed
The family of Mr. Sureshbhai Patel would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for the ongoing support provided over the last few weeks. While Mr. Sureshbhai Patel still faces a challenging road to recovery, he has made significant progress in the recent days. With the help of the global community, this GoFundMe was able to raise over $209k – these funds will support the medical and medical related expenses incurred as a result of this tragic injury.
Also, the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted the Madison police officer involved for using unreasonable force against Mr. Sureshbhai Patel. See link below:
http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/former-madison-police-officer-indicted-use-unreasonable-force-against-man-he-was
After the indictment, Hank Sherrod (attorney) stated:
“Mr. Patel and his family are very pleased by the prompt and decisive action of U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance and the federal grand jury. For the public to trust police officers, it needs to know officers will be held accountable, and the felony civil rights charges filed against Parker, unlike the misdemeanor assault charge being pursued in state court, more accurately reflect the seriousness of Parker’s conduct.
Mr. Patel and his family are also deeply thankful for the continued support and concern of the local community and the general public. With the wind of these good thoughts and prayers at his back, through hard work and with the help of skilled and caring therapists at Healthsouth Rehabilitation Center in Huntsville, Mr. Patel has made tremendous progress in his recovery. Recently, Mr. Patel was able to walk a short distance on his own using a walker, an important milestone in his recovery. In the near future, Mr. Patel expects to be released to the home of his son, Chirag, where he will continue his therapy.”
Thank you once again for all the support and please keep Mr. Sureshbhai Patel in your prayers.
Also, the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted the Madison police officer involved for using unreasonable force against Mr. Sureshbhai Patel. See link below:
http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/former-madison-police-officer-indicted-use-unreasonable-force-against-man-he-was
After the indictment, Hank Sherrod (attorney) stated:
“Mr. Patel and his family are very pleased by the prompt and decisive action of U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance and the federal grand jury. For the public to trust police officers, it needs to know officers will be held accountable, and the felony civil rights charges filed against Parker, unlike the misdemeanor assault charge being pursued in state court, more accurately reflect the seriousness of Parker’s conduct.
Mr. Patel and his family are also deeply thankful for the continued support and concern of the local community and the general public. With the wind of these good thoughts and prayers at his back, through hard work and with the help of skilled and caring therapists at Healthsouth Rehabilitation Center in Huntsville, Mr. Patel has made tremendous progress in his recovery. Recently, Mr. Patel was able to walk a short distance on his own using a walker, an important milestone in his recovery. In the near future, Mr. Patel expects to be released to the home of his son, Chirag, where he will continue his therapy.”
Thank you once again for all the support and please keep Mr. Sureshbhai Patel in your prayers.
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