Step by Step
Donation protected
Step by Step
As told by Ardis Ligman.
What began as the annual family trip to Nova Scotia to visit family, in an instant everything changed. A subtle notice of leg weakness, suddenly was the inability to feel or have movement of his legs as JD crumbled to the kitchen floor. One moment JD was standing and the next he was paralyzed from the waist down and waiting for the first ambulance that began two days of journey and three additional ambulance transports each to higher levels of care hospitals. Finally on the evening of July17th, JD was at Halifax Hospital in Nova Scotia having emergent Neurosurgery. JD had extensive neurosurgery necessary to remove the MSSA bacterium that invaded his vertebrae and was surrounding his spinal colum at the lumbar level before it could spread to his brain. He would need both long term intensive IV antibiotics and extensive spinal rehab with a goal of regaining use of his still paralyzed legs. JD an avid golfer, father, and grandfather wasn’t certain if he would ever be able to walk again into his church to participate in worshiping God with his voice in the choir or ever be able to walk through the front door and be home.
His medical coverage would no longer allow JD to remain in Canada although still paralyzed and under extensive medical care. Thus, at a cost of $24,000 paid prior to flying and denied insurance reimbursement, JD was medically air transported back to the United States and a local hospital. JD has watched his credit card debts increase paying for medical jet transport home, many services that Canada would not accept insurance payment and the continual need for spinal cord and IV antibiotic therapy which will be his cost of $90/day. The length of his rehab is still unknown; it is step by step based on his progress and determination. Most days in rehab he gives 150% effort, always wanting to push literally one step further. Yesterday, for the first time in 24 days with the assist of two physical therapists and parallel bars JD took 5 steps. Slowly he is regaing partial feeling to his lower body and learning how to have purposeful leg movement. It is scary facing mounting medical bills as he tries to focus on his goal of walking independently again.
JD believes in the power of prayer and God’s healing. When tensions of illness and fear of truly not knowing what level of rehab he will be able to obtain, JD begins singing hymns of praise to help stay focused that this journey and healing is in God’s hands. Please keep JD in your thoughts and prayers for his healing. If you consider donating to his GoFundMe campaign, it would help considerably for the already greatly accumulated medical expenses that are accuring daily and allowing JD to focus his energy of healing and hopefully one day again soon be able to walk. All funds will be used to pay medical bills.
JD and Florence would like to thank you for your prayer support and any contributions you are able to give in this medically challenging time.
As told by Ardis Ligman.
What began as the annual family trip to Nova Scotia to visit family, in an instant everything changed. A subtle notice of leg weakness, suddenly was the inability to feel or have movement of his legs as JD crumbled to the kitchen floor. One moment JD was standing and the next he was paralyzed from the waist down and waiting for the first ambulance that began two days of journey and three additional ambulance transports each to higher levels of care hospitals. Finally on the evening of July17th, JD was at Halifax Hospital in Nova Scotia having emergent Neurosurgery. JD had extensive neurosurgery necessary to remove the MSSA bacterium that invaded his vertebrae and was surrounding his spinal colum at the lumbar level before it could spread to his brain. He would need both long term intensive IV antibiotics and extensive spinal rehab with a goal of regaining use of his still paralyzed legs. JD an avid golfer, father, and grandfather wasn’t certain if he would ever be able to walk again into his church to participate in worshiping God with his voice in the choir or ever be able to walk through the front door and be home.
His medical coverage would no longer allow JD to remain in Canada although still paralyzed and under extensive medical care. Thus, at a cost of $24,000 paid prior to flying and denied insurance reimbursement, JD was medically air transported back to the United States and a local hospital. JD has watched his credit card debts increase paying for medical jet transport home, many services that Canada would not accept insurance payment and the continual need for spinal cord and IV antibiotic therapy which will be his cost of $90/day. The length of his rehab is still unknown; it is step by step based on his progress and determination. Most days in rehab he gives 150% effort, always wanting to push literally one step further. Yesterday, for the first time in 24 days with the assist of two physical therapists and parallel bars JD took 5 steps. Slowly he is regaing partial feeling to his lower body and learning how to have purposeful leg movement. It is scary facing mounting medical bills as he tries to focus on his goal of walking independently again.
JD believes in the power of prayer and God’s healing. When tensions of illness and fear of truly not knowing what level of rehab he will be able to obtain, JD begins singing hymns of praise to help stay focused that this journey and healing is in God’s hands. Please keep JD in your thoughts and prayers for his healing. If you consider donating to his GoFundMe campaign, it would help considerably for the already greatly accumulated medical expenses that are accuring daily and allowing JD to focus his energy of healing and hopefully one day again soon be able to walk. All funds will be used to pay medical bills.
JD and Florence would like to thank you for your prayer support and any contributions you are able to give in this medically challenging time.
Organizer
J.d. Manion
Organizer
Spring Hill, FL
