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On July 21, 2016, Orion Owens ran from a sandy shoreline and dove into a recreational lake to join 4 other friends for a moonlight swim in Eden, Utah. Still to this day his friends don’t understand what he did differently to immediately sustain a catastrophic spinal cord injury bursting his C6 vertebrae paralyzing him from the chest down and unconscious underwater for nearly 5-7 minutes. He was revived by his friend Marshall, air lifted to the closest trauma center in Utah and one week later flown to Craig Hospital in Denver, CO specializing in spinal cord injuries. A playful night turned tragic for Orion, his family and friends.
Prior to the injury, at 22 years young, Orion was on his way to being a self-reliant young adult fulfilling his goals as an upcoming videographer and photographer. He was attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo while managing a successful business involving international film projects. He was an avid athlete who enjoyed multiple sports and particularly loved the ocean. His friends will tell you that his smile was contagious and he could make friends, in any part of the world, in an instant.
Over the past two years Orion received intensive rehab at Craig Hospital and continued out-of-pocket therapy at home in San Diego utilizing donations from previous fundraisers. Orion has improved from the initial onset of the injury. He now has some movement in his left leg and foot, his left hand and fingers continue to improve along with stronger upper core. He works on standing with assistance and support from trainers. Ongoing consistent training is not only important to promote further healing, but also to prevent secondary complications associated with the paralysis of this injury.
Orion is striving to rebuild his business and get back to his passions in life: filming, photography and travel. He wants to live independently and provide for himself, but right now he still needs financial assistance. There continues to be many out-of-pocket expenses for therapy, alternative care such as acupuncture, wheelchair repairs,home modifications, adaptive equipment, some caregiving assistance, and many other injury and medical related expenses that his insurance will not pay for.
Donations to Help Hope Live in honor of Orion, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law and will reduce the financial concern and burden to Orion and his family. This assistance will enable Orion to continue vital rehab and pay for the many medical expenses with less worry while also figuring out how to return to the life he loved.
Please consider making a contribution by hitting the GIVE button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
Orion is pushing through and determined to return to an athletic life. Last winter he pursued sit-sking and this September he traveled to Lake Tahoe to try an adaptive hand- cycle bike. Thanks to High Fives for helping him to demo a bike. Proper fitting and custom adjustments for a sit-ski or bike is extremely important for health, safety and function. Orion would like to purchase his own equipment making these sports part of his life. Movement and exercise in any form is very important. Thanks High Fives for helping him demo bikes in Lake Tahoe.
Thanks to High Fives Foundation Orion was able to take adaptive ski lessons with STARS while in Steamboat Springs, CO AND funded Orion's High Fives Winter Ski Camp in Winter Park, CO for 3 more days of ski lessons while spending a week with other High Five athletes. He advanced, impressing his instructors when he returned to Steamboat and made some great runs down the mountain. Thanks to donation here at HelpHopeLive so Orion can continue to build his strength and train his body for recovery and more athletic adventures.
This past week Orion has been taking Sit-Ski lessons. It is tough! Many falls learning to remain upright with only arm and shoulder strength. Thanks to donations he can continue out-of-pocket therapy helping him to improve and get strong enough to participate in these sports.
Orion is getting ready to try adaptive skiing this winter. It is donations like these that have helped him with ongoing therapy to get strong enough to do this. Thanks! Will post update of Orion on the mountain later this month.
This is to help towards your bike.
XOXO Sandy Golden
Sandy Golden
Hope you have a fantastic healthy, happy, peaceful 2020! Enjoy your inspiring photography and videos. Keep it going... Looking forward to seeing what is next! Lots of love, The Sheehan's
Sharon Sheehan
Hello Orion
We’ve never met but I feel like we have.
I’m a friend of your Mother as we have been in DC the last two years on our Rock and Roll on DC
What a great Family you have, someday we’ll meet
Have fun doing what you Love
Ruth Price
"Bunco Babes of East County" support your path to healing, and look forward to seeing your artwork!
Annie Johnston Micki Plummer Debbie Orly
Jean Minter Judy Boyd Sheila Dowe
Penny Barnaba Mary Nichols Jill Lehto
Claudia Deney Nan O'Gara Kathleen Rivers
HELP HOPE LIVE !!!!!!!
Annie Johnston
Happy Birthday
Audrey Buchanan
Believing the best for you Orion! Keeping the Faith and praying for continued healing. I hope you find strength and renewed vision as you move forward. God bless YOU and your family...:). Love your photos....incredible!
Sharon Sheehan
Keep on going Orion
Bill & Julie Leach
Go Orion. We are all rooting for you champ :)
Karan Chaudhry
sending blessings and prayers from one of your supporters and biggest fans #alwaysaMustang
the rogers family
Thanks for all the updates. Always sending positive vibes.
Love,
Lisa (Jacobs), David, Caleb, Ethan, Talia
Lisa Boren
I am walking for you! Groovey healing vibes, uber visualizations and many prayers lifting you up!
Beth Beethe
We keep Orion Owens in our thoughts and prayers always.
Nancy Servatius
Keep working hard Orion!
Marla Kassan
Here's to Orion getting back to his passions in life!
Beth Liggitt
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Orion Owens
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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