Troy Gielish Road to Recovery
Donation protected
On January 17, 2018, Troy Gielish was out doing what he loved, riding his bike with a friend, when tragedy struck. Troy was on a gravel ride in Blackstar Canyon when his front wheel unexpectedly washed out, causing Troy to lose control of his bike. As a result, Troy crashed headfirst, causing severe trauma to his neck and several fractures in his back. Prior to the accident, Troy had an undiagnosed stenosis in his spinal column which magnified the injury greatly. This combined with the forceful impact to his neck during the crash caused Troy’s spinal column to compress and subsequent partial paralysis. This left him with a condition referred to as Central Cord Syndrome (CCS). Essentially, the center of the spine received the most damage affecting motor function to Troy’s upper extremities to a greater degree than his lower body.
Since the accident, Troy has kept-up his positive spirit and recognition that God is working through this situation despite having a number of setbacks. Troy was in ICU for nearly two weeks, during which, he developed a life-threatening case of pneumonia. After being sedated and put on a respirator, he recovered over the course of several days; then he underwent spinal surgery to relieve pressure from fluid build up in his spine and the compression from the injury. After, he was transferred to an acute rehabilitation facility where his condition and health declined rapidly. Over the course of the month, he lost over 40lbs and had to be transferred to another hospital to have a feeding tube placed. Thankfully, he is now recovering at a convalescent home where he has been slowly progressing and gaining weight. On top of the damage to the use of his arms and legs, Troy is now challenged with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and speaking (dysarthria). These are symptoms of a previous neurological condition Troy was diagnosed with before the injury; currently believed to be Parkinson’s, ALS, or Multiple Sclerosis.
Please consider helping Troy and his family by donating towards immediate medical expenses and future needs. Before Troy can come home, he will need a bed that shifts his weight automatically so that he does not develop bed sores and to help protect him from developing pneumonia again. Additionally, Troy’s house needs to be retrofitted for a person in his condition. The family needs to install flooring suitable for wheelchair traffic, modify and widen doors, and install ramps at the house. Money will also be needed for home nurses, medical transportation, and out patient therapy not covered by insurance. Depending on the degree in which Troy recovers, the purchase of a power-operated wheelchair and modifications to the family vehicle may also be necessary. Costs are estimated to be close to $200,000*.
Troy has always been someone who puts the needs and interests of others first, and now he needs our help. Troy worked for several Southern California police departments, including the Hawthorne police department from 1992 to 1995, and the Irvine Police Department from 1996 to 2017 when he retired. During his time serving as an officer, Troy has received the Medal of Valor for saving a woman from committing suicide. He’s served on a DEA Task Force and on Irvine’s SWAT team. Troy has taught drug identification courses nationwide, and with his love of cycling, taught bike patrol all over the world.
In his personal time, Troy was a fierce competitor on the bike. His palmares include state and national championship titles in both road and track. Troy built on relationships forged through a common interest in cycling to share his love of Jesus Christ with others. He served as an active member of Compass Bible Church, and he mentored other cyclists through the Linked Cycling Club. Troy currently races with Team Simple Green.
Typical patients with CCS regain use of their legs and can often walk, but cannot effectively use their arms and hands. The degree at which his body heals cannot be predicted at this point.
*Any money left over will either be used to cover ongoing therapy or given to a cause of Troy’s choice.
Since the accident, Troy has kept-up his positive spirit and recognition that God is working through this situation despite having a number of setbacks. Troy was in ICU for nearly two weeks, during which, he developed a life-threatening case of pneumonia. After being sedated and put on a respirator, he recovered over the course of several days; then he underwent spinal surgery to relieve pressure from fluid build up in his spine and the compression from the injury. After, he was transferred to an acute rehabilitation facility where his condition and health declined rapidly. Over the course of the month, he lost over 40lbs and had to be transferred to another hospital to have a feeding tube placed. Thankfully, he is now recovering at a convalescent home where he has been slowly progressing and gaining weight. On top of the damage to the use of his arms and legs, Troy is now challenged with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and speaking (dysarthria). These are symptoms of a previous neurological condition Troy was diagnosed with before the injury; currently believed to be Parkinson’s, ALS, or Multiple Sclerosis.
Please consider helping Troy and his family by donating towards immediate medical expenses and future needs. Before Troy can come home, he will need a bed that shifts his weight automatically so that he does not develop bed sores and to help protect him from developing pneumonia again. Additionally, Troy’s house needs to be retrofitted for a person in his condition. The family needs to install flooring suitable for wheelchair traffic, modify and widen doors, and install ramps at the house. Money will also be needed for home nurses, medical transportation, and out patient therapy not covered by insurance. Depending on the degree in which Troy recovers, the purchase of a power-operated wheelchair and modifications to the family vehicle may also be necessary. Costs are estimated to be close to $200,000*.
Troy has always been someone who puts the needs and interests of others first, and now he needs our help. Troy worked for several Southern California police departments, including the Hawthorne police department from 1992 to 1995, and the Irvine Police Department from 1996 to 2017 when he retired. During his time serving as an officer, Troy has received the Medal of Valor for saving a woman from committing suicide. He’s served on a DEA Task Force and on Irvine’s SWAT team. Troy has taught drug identification courses nationwide, and with his love of cycling, taught bike patrol all over the world.
In his personal time, Troy was a fierce competitor on the bike. His palmares include state and national championship titles in both road and track. Troy built on relationships forged through a common interest in cycling to share his love of Jesus Christ with others. He served as an active member of Compass Bible Church, and he mentored other cyclists through the Linked Cycling Club. Troy currently races with Team Simple Green.
Typical patients with CCS regain use of their legs and can often walk, but cannot effectively use their arms and hands. The degree at which his body heals cannot be predicted at this point.
*Any money left over will either be used to cover ongoing therapy or given to a cause of Troy’s choice.
Fundraising team (2)
Scott Matsuda
Organizer
Irvine, CA
The Gielish's
Beneficiary
Troy Gielish
Team member
