Michael Dunn Fund
Donation protected
Mike is a 1973 Wallkill Senior High School graduate. During High School Mike earned his letters in basketball and football while working at Blue Chip Farm. After graduating he decided to join the Marines in 1974. After surviving bootcamp in the brutal swamps of Paris Island South Carolina, he became a part of the military police and was stationed in Hawaii and Camp Pendleton in California. After his 4 years were up he was hired by the LAPD and worked there for 5 years . He then transferred to the Pleasanton Police Department in Northern California. 
During his time there, Mike earned his four-year degree. Rising through the ranks becoming a sergeant, he decided to become a motorcycle cop . He retired in 2014 and soon afterwards he started contract work for the U.S. Marshall Service. Mike was assigned a supervisor position at the San Francisco Courthouse where he worked until his accident.
Mike was very involved in his church as a care Pastor. He travel to Africa on a church mission and decided while he was there to stop eating. The reason being, he wanted to try to understand the hunger experiences of children he was working with. How could he help them if he didn't understand what it felt like to be hungry?
While not at work, Mike was an avid bicyclist. He joined numerous long-distance bike-a-thon's and was training for one when he had his accident. On September 18th 2016, two days before Mike's birthday, he set out on his bicycle to train for a 50-mile mountain ride. As he was riding through an underdeveloped site, the road broke apart under his tire and threw him off his bike. He laid there for an estimated 20 to 30 minutes and he was unable to move any part of his body. Finally, someone stopped to help and he was transported to a Trauma Center. He had no feeling anywhere except for his face.
He had difficulty breathing, tremendous trouble swallowing and could barely talk. Mike crushed is C4, C5, and C6 cervical nerves which required surgery, and Mike was diagnosed with an incomplete spinal cord injury and was quadriplegic. The news was devastating but Mike was determined, as he still is, to be able to do things again.
His journey has been long and painful, physically, mentally and emotionally. Things we take for granted for him are a struggle. Scratching an itch, being able to hug, being alone. But every little Improvement is met with renewed optimism and Hope. Being able to swallow, feel when somebody touches his leg, being able to wiggle his hand, operating his own electric wheelchair. All the things we take for granted, for him, is a small victory.
The next part of Mike's battle includes a monetary one. The cost Mike is facing due to his devastating injury are high. We have been blessed that the VA has taken such good care of him, but his stay there is coming to an end. The first huge task is finding a place for him to live. He will need to live in a place that is totally retro fitted to accommodate his need, a wheelchair accessible shower, a machine to be able to lift him out of bed, ramps, and 24/7 healthcare to name a few. He will also need a van that has wheelchair lifts, ramps, and other adaptable driving equipment. He is facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs as insurance does not cover the majority of what he will need.
The one silver lining, not only for Mike, but for our entire family, is seeing the tremendous outpouring of Love, support and Hope from everyone. It would be easy for somebody to give up, but Mike, well he does have his bad days, refuses to do that. His faith in God, his family and his friends has only been strengthened by this tragedy. We cannot thank you all enough, we are truly blessed.
Your support will provide financial assistance to help Mike with his continuing Rehabilitation, 24/7 care, medical equipment and aids to help him live as well as he can.
During his time there, Mike earned his four-year degree. Rising through the ranks becoming a sergeant, he decided to become a motorcycle cop . He retired in 2014 and soon afterwards he started contract work for the U.S. Marshall Service. Mike was assigned a supervisor position at the San Francisco Courthouse where he worked until his accident.Mike was very involved in his church as a care Pastor. He travel to Africa on a church mission and decided while he was there to stop eating. The reason being, he wanted to try to understand the hunger experiences of children he was working with. How could he help them if he didn't understand what it felt like to be hungry?
While not at work, Mike was an avid bicyclist. He joined numerous long-distance bike-a-thon's and was training for one when he had his accident. On September 18th 2016, two days before Mike's birthday, he set out on his bicycle to train for a 50-mile mountain ride. As he was riding through an underdeveloped site, the road broke apart under his tire and threw him off his bike. He laid there for an estimated 20 to 30 minutes and he was unable to move any part of his body. Finally, someone stopped to help and he was transported to a Trauma Center. He had no feeling anywhere except for his face.
He had difficulty breathing, tremendous trouble swallowing and could barely talk. Mike crushed is C4, C5, and C6 cervical nerves which required surgery, and Mike was diagnosed with an incomplete spinal cord injury and was quadriplegic. The news was devastating but Mike was determined, as he still is, to be able to do things again.
His journey has been long and painful, physically, mentally and emotionally. Things we take for granted for him are a struggle. Scratching an itch, being able to hug, being alone. But every little Improvement is met with renewed optimism and Hope. Being able to swallow, feel when somebody touches his leg, being able to wiggle his hand, operating his own electric wheelchair. All the things we take for granted, for him, is a small victory.
The next part of Mike's battle includes a monetary one. The cost Mike is facing due to his devastating injury are high. We have been blessed that the VA has taken such good care of him, but his stay there is coming to an end. The first huge task is finding a place for him to live. He will need to live in a place that is totally retro fitted to accommodate his need, a wheelchair accessible shower, a machine to be able to lift him out of bed, ramps, and 24/7 healthcare to name a few. He will also need a van that has wheelchair lifts, ramps, and other adaptable driving equipment. He is facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs as insurance does not cover the majority of what he will need.
The one silver lining, not only for Mike, but for our entire family, is seeing the tremendous outpouring of Love, support and Hope from everyone. It would be easy for somebody to give up, but Mike, well he does have his bad days, refuses to do that. His faith in God, his family and his friends has only been strengthened by this tragedy. We cannot thank you all enough, we are truly blessed.
Your support will provide financial assistance to help Mike with his continuing Rehabilitation, 24/7 care, medical equipment and aids to help him live as well as he can.
Organizer
Cathy Noble
Organizer
Wallkill, NY
