Hi everyone, this is Beverly, Mike’s wife. On March 25th, 2024, Mike’s life changed forever. He fell off a ladder and fractured his neck in two places. Before I go into details about the accident, I want to tell you about Mike. Mike is a 58 year old diesel truck mechanic. He has two sons, a daughter in law, and one daughter. They have blessed us with two extraordinary grandsons, who are his world! Mike loves his family. The best memories and best times we have with our family is at Lake Wedowee, where we have a camper and a boat. Being on the lake driving his sons and grandchildren around the lake, grilling dinner, and sitting on the deck laughing and making memories is what centers him. Of course, his other love is his Harley. He enjoys riding and spending time with our friends and considers them his “chosen” family. Mike has always been the main support of his family. Whether it is financially or emotional support. In 2024, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 advanced colon cancer. He supported me, took care of me, and stayed by my side through surgery and chemo treatments. In February 2024, we rejoiced as I was finally in remission. Now to Mike’s story. We decided to go to the lake to prepare the camper and boat for spring and summer. We had worked all day and Mike noticed some lights were out around the deck. Just as he had done on multiple occasions, he got the ladder out and climbed approximately 8 to 10 feet to change the bulbs. He doesn’t know what happened to cause the fall, but he fell over the balcony and down an additional 3 foot drop and landed on his back. He was transported to Tanner Hospital in Carrollton to stabilize him. Once stable, he was transferred to Grady Hospital where he had to be intubated. Because of his injuries and being a diabetic, Mike went into DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis. He had to be placed in the trauma ICU and was placed on life support. Mike remained in critical condition for three more days. On March 28th, his doctors and surgeons believed him to be stable enough for surgery. The surgeons did a laminectomy C3-C5 and a fusion from C3-C6. After surgery, Mike was placed back in ICU and continued to be on life support. As his body began healing, Mike remained on life support until April 6th, unfortunately he had to keep the feeding tube. On April 11th, he was discharged to Shepherd Center as the specialists there began to evaluate his spinal cord injury and began rehab. At the end of April, Mike took a turn for the worse. He began having severe nausea and stomach discomfort. A GI doctor was consulted and on May 3rd an upper GI was performed and the doctors found the feeding tube was causing additional issues within his stomach and esophagus. They decided to remove the feeding tube and he immediately found relief and began eating solid foods. This was an answer to prayer, because he was able to begin consuming enough calories to start a more vigorous rehab program. The type of spinal cord injury Mike has makes predicting recovery difficult. We truly don’t know what functions he will be able to recover and use in the future. What we do know is that he is looking at years of intense therapy to regain mobility. As of today, Mike is able to feel everything, but is unable to walk and use his arms. His lower extremities seem to be progressing and gaining strength more than his upper extremities. We are looking at raising $55,000 for medical bills, home modifications, and a wheelchair for showering. At the present time our home needs a lot of modifications before Mike is able to come home. Ramps have to be built and door facings have to be enlarged. A handicap accessible vehicle is also needed for us to travel back and forth to outpatient therapy. Although insurance will pay a portion of the motorized wheelchair for Mike, they do not cover wheelchairs that can be used in water for bathing; nor do they cover lifts to be used for transferring patients. This LFEBridge is not written easily. Mike and I have always been very independent and proud people. Our hearts have always been that of giving and helping others, and now we are having to ask for help. Knowing we are going to have to rely on our family and friends for assistance is extremely humbling and all done with a weeping heart. For those that are unable to financially give, Mike and I ask that you give through prayer. Pray for healing for Mike's body. Pray for strength; mental and physical. Pray for the caregivers. Pray for the doctors, nurses, and physical therapists that are treating Mike. It is through each of you, our family and our friends, and our God, that Mike has overcome the roadblocks placed in his path. Mike, our family, and I thank each of you for all of your prayers and continued prayers.
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