Let's keep Rio at Craig Hospital
** Rio's phone number is 208-899-9312. Please continue to send him your love and support. This is what's getting him through **
Update Monday, May 14th 2018 -- 4 weeks since Rio's accident
So much love and support has been felt from everyone by the Peterson and Miller family. Support from friends -- old and new, close and far. The Petersons and Millers thank you all so much, and will never forget the support in any which way it may have come, from anyone.
In great fashion, Rio's story aired last night on KTVB, a major news outlet based out of Boise. It's inspiring and hopeful. Please check it out here!
https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/nampa-man-recovering-after-ski-accident-i-felt-my-neck-crunch/277-551776820
There are a couple of updates on the forefront at the moment --
This week, Rio will need an additional surgery. The surgery, though risky, should relieve some pressure on Rio's spinal cord. Please be thinking about Rio this week, as this surgery is very complex, but will hopefully be pivotable in his recovery. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts.
Rio's grand plan will be to stay at Craig Hospital for the next year. Many months in, and then several months as an out-patient. This plan is well thought out and absolutely crucial to his recovery. As you know, insurance is only able to go so far. Please, if you're able, continue to send your love and support in any and all capacities.
Everyone's support has moved mountains thus far, and hopefully just a few more remain.
Lastly, some of Rio's friends told him that they were going to move to Denver to be at his side during his recovery. Rio has clearly had a knack for associating and befriending some great people. Thank you to EVERYONE for being those great people.
Here's Rio's address -- he seriously loves all the mail!!
Craig Hospital
Attn: Rio Peterson Room #403
3425 South Clarkson Street
Englewood CO. 80113
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Update Sunday, May 6th, 2018
KREM 2 out of Spokane, Washington has shared Rio's story. That story can be found heree:
https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/cda-nurse-runs-bloomsday-in-solidarity-for-friend-with-spinal-cord-injury/293-549375307
Rio Peterson
Please Help Rio Continue His Care at Craig Hospital
#RioStrong Riostrong.com
On April 16 th, Rio was skiing Squaw Mountain in Lake Tahoe where he suffered a spinal cord injury, fracturing C5 and C6 vertebrae’s in his neck. Rio was transported to Renown Medical Center in Reno and underwent spinal surgery followed by 9 days in the ICU. Through donations and many helping hands, Rio was medically transported to Craig Rehab Hospital in Denver, CO for intense rehabilitation.
At this point Rio has movement in his right arm, limited in his left arm and is working on weaning off the ventilator. Because the injury is new, we’re praying for great strides to be made during his rehabilitation.
Prior to Rio’s accident he was working as a travel nurse. Rio was not content performing required nursing duties and strived to raise the bar. Outside of work he often helped the less fortunate in the community. The stories of his kindness have been overwhelming. Although he would deny it, his kind heart has touched many people.
We are now asking for your generosity to allow Rio continued care at Craig Hospital. During his rehabilitation, Craig will aggressively work with him
physically and psychologically. He does have insurance, but as most know, that only goes so far. Rio’s greatest chance at regaining physical function and general
health is to stay at Craig Hospital for one year. Rio’s insurance will cover only minimal physical and occupational therapy. If you would like to donate you can access his go fund me link @
https://www.gofundme.com/prayers-for- rio-
peterson039s-recovery.
If you would prefer to donate in mail form, you can mail it to:
Craig Hospital
Attn: Rio Peterson, Room #403
3425 S Clarkson St
Englewood, CO 80113
“A man’s greatest strides are made without taking a single step” Craig Hospital
To learn more about Rio and follow his journey at Riostrong.com
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Update from Tawni, Sunday April 22nd
Yesterday they sat Rio up. He tries with everything he has to get his body moving. Today they will do a swallow evaluation. We need his nasal tube out so he can be transported. That tube is feeding him now.
We give him full body massage 2 x’s a day, pray around him and do a lot of energy work. He loves to read his email & text msgs.
He’s on top of his care - he knows every med he’s given (the 5 rights- nursing language). He’s requested a lot of alternative treatments and herbs to reduce inflammation, promote stomach health and nerve pain - of course he gets turned down. No problem if he wants oxycodone or morphine, but god forbid if he wants B12.
He cried and cried when he saw gofundme. He said “people are good”. The most amazing thing is that it will get him transported to Denver! Thank you, thank you! We’ll know more tomorrow when that will happen.
Please, please keep praying for Rios lungs to start breathing on their own and we’ll set our goal higher after that one! #Riostrong.
We love you all!!
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Update #2 from Saturday, April 21st,
I just got off the phone with Tawni, and my good friend Rio. How encouraging that was.
Today hasn't been easy, but they're staying incredibly strong during the "push through," and pushing through, they are.
Rio has very much enjoyed the text messages that everyone has been sending him. He has his phone propped up in an area where he is able to read them.
Please continue to send him your love and text messages. It helps to get him through.
Rio's phone number is [phone redacted]. Please share it with his friends.
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Update from GoFundMe, Saturday April 21st.
(Please see Tawni's latest update from Yesterday below this update)
This is amazing. Rio's campaign has been noticed and is now under verification review by GoFundMe. This doesn't affect anything, they're just working on some details on the backend for verification purposes.
The verification review comes because of the tremendous love, support, and backing you have shown towards Rio. There are many thousands of GoFundMe's that get created everyday, however they don't typically get this kind massive notice. GoFundMe has specifically recognized this. Rio, and the Peterson Family have clearly made a massive impact on us all.
As part of the verification process GoFundMe has asked me to clarify a few things.
First, my name is Tony Agenbroad from Nampa, ID. I still drive by the Peterson's old Nampa house everyday. The house is looking great guys.
I'm Radley's age, and grew up with the boys, and the Peterson family. From elementary school, church, 4H pigs, ski trips, camping trips, college and beyond, I've been blessed to have been able to spend so much quality time with the Peterson Family.
The funds from this campaign will be used to medically transfer Rio from Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, NV, to Craig Institute in Denver, CO. Craig specializes in spinal chord trauma and rehabilitation. It's where the magic happens. Tawni has said that it is vital that we get him there. Denver is over 1,000 miles away from Reno.
We will work with Hobie and Tawni, Rio's parents, as a part of securing the funds. Words cannot thank everyone so much for your love and support. Please stay strong. We know you will.
Let's get Rio to Denver.
#RioStrong
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Update from Tawni, Friday, April 20th
Here we are on day 4. A bit of a roller coaster with more ups then downs. The High 5 foundation that supports injured athletes came in and met with Rio/us yesterday. It gave us the boost we needed.
Rio’s intubation tube was removed and he was given a Trach for ventilation breathing. That’s given him tons of comfort plus we’re becoming good at lip reading. Tuesday he acquired ventilator pneumonia so he’s currently fighting that. A representative from Craig Rehab hospital is flying in Monday to meet with us.
Because of the gofundme donations Rio has received, he’s got some money to be medically transported. It’s incredible to think this is becoming a reality. He could be transported as early as next week to their vent unit. Please pray that Rio comes off the vent and his lungs start working on their own. We’ll move on from there— baby steps!
In the meantime, every person that comes to his room has to hug him, he thanks everyone and often will mouth, “you the man”. Continue to send the positive thoughts and prayers. We need them more now than ever.
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Update from Thursday, April 19th.
Thank you SO very much to all of you, and the incredible amount of support EVERYONE has shown. The Petersons can feel it, and it's positive energy like this that will make all the difference.
Right now a priority is to get Rio to Craig Institute in Denver, CO. Craig Institute specializes in Spinal Chord injury. It is the place Where the Magic Happens. It will not be easy to get Rio to Craig.
Rio has some movement and sensation in his upper body. He has some ability to move his arms, and we hope and pray that this will continue to improve. This is amazing progress so far.
He is aware of the love of his family and friends that surround him, even from many miles away. He is in good spirits, even sharing some "brotherly love" with Radley and Rabon, who have both made it down to Reno.
Rio's accident happened on Monday, at Squaw Valley Ski Resort. He was then transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, NV. Right now, Rio's mailing address is:
Renown Medical Center, C/O Rio Peterson
1155 Mill St. Reno, NV 89502
Rio Peterson
Sierra Intensive Care Unit Rm 110
Throughout this week I (Tony), was approached by many different people talking about this campaign. Everyone approached me saying the same thing. Everyone is saying "It's crazy that the campaign is getting this kind of traction! With that though, I'm not surprised because Rio and The Peterson's are such great people." I too am not surprised by the overwhelming support. You all have been great.
Please continue to share what you can and send your positive thoughts. Let's get him to Denver, and let this Magic Happen.
With much love, on behalf of The Peterson's -- thank you, everyone.
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Post from Monday, April 16th
Starting a GoFundMe with some bad, yet hopeful news.
Our good friend Rio Peterson was in a skiing accident today, and has a spinal injury. He fractured his C5-6 vertebrae, and what happens this next week will be crucial to his healing.
The Peterson family is the most humble, and positive, family I know. I've always felt their support, and I know there are a lot of us who can say the same.
We are raising funds for the Peterson family to be with Rio. Please contribute what you can, and please always keep your thoughts positive.
Prayers for Rio
