I am Mitch Domina, I became paralyzed at 15 years old. Now 36, I have the chance to take part in a clinical trial at The University of Louisville in hopes of walking again. I need help with flights, hotels, paying bills while I am unable to work and travel expenses while I am there, which will be 3 months initially, and a few more follow-ups after 6 and 12 months. Here's my story: I broke my back when I was 15 years old on a dirt bike. I had dreams of becoming a professional motorcycle racer and would have done anything to make that happen. I was well on my way, racing all over Europe representing the United States in races. My dad was military so we finally got orders to come back to the States. This came just as I was offered my first big sponsorship to race for a large KTM dealership in Germany. Since we were moving, I had to decline the offer, as I was sure I would soon be offered another great sponsorship once I got back to the U.S. As soon as I got back to the States, I took part in a charity event for Big Brothers Big Sisters. It was an off-road poker run and I had already visited all 5 stations and completed my hand early, before most people that morning. So while waiting for my friends to complete the event, another friend found a jump to have some fun on. It was a rather large jump, at least 100 feet long, jumping up a hill, over a dirt road, and landing down the other side. It was relatively safe. Many people came to watch us jump this over and over again following one another. We did this for so long many people left, but we continued to jump this. Then, one time something went wrong. Nobody saw it, but I had crashed, there was a cloud of dust where I laid with the bike on top of me. I was unconscious. I woke up and knew my back hurt and my lower body felt odd, like my feet were straight up in the air. A helicopter came in and took me off to the hospital, where they confirmed I had broken my back. The result of the broken back was a bruised spinal cord, which has left me paralyzed ever since. And now, after seeing news stories of people walking again after epidural spinal stimulation, I reached out to the university conducting these procedures and they asked me if wasn't to take part in a study to have the procedure done to me. There is no guarantee it will make me walk. But I have to try and any sort of improvement is a positive thing and will change my life. So I ask you to help me in the endeavor and support me by donating. The university will cover all medical costs, but they will not be able to help with any travel-related expenses or loss in pay from being away from work. So even if you cant donate money, if you are able to transfer hotel or flight points, or just simply share this story with others, it would truly help change someone's life. Thank you.
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