On the morning of July 23, 2015, I was living the American dream. By the end of that same day, I was living one of life’s worst nightmares.
A spinal cord infection (abscess), initially mistaken for strained back muscles, rapidly constricted around my spinal cord. I got out of bed and immediately collapsed to the ground completely paralyzed.
That was the beginning of my nightmare.
Doctors told my family I likely would not survive the emergency surgery to remove the abscess surrounding my spinal cord. After surviving, they warned I would never move again and would remain paralyzed from the neck down for the rest of my life. My prognosis was grim.
“You won’t experience recovery after a year to maybe a year and a half,” they insisted.
I refused to accept that.
As a lifelong fitness fanatic and believer in the body’s ability to heal, I committed myself completely to recovery. I pursued physical training relentlessly, focused on nutrition, explored alternative therapies, and worked to rebuild my body one small victory at a time.
And slowly, against all odds, progress came.
After four years, I began walking with assistance using a walker. After five years, I regained full independence. After six years, I began regaining additional personal functions doctors once believed were permanently lost.
Last year, after working with dedicated trainers and continuing intensive strength training, I began experiencing renewed nerve activity in my hands and toes. Within just a few months, I regained measurable motor control in my legs and feet, proof that recovery is still happening.
Modern medicine saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that. But the next phase of my recovery came through persistence, innovative training, holistic approaches, proper nutrition, and refusing to quit.
Now, I believe I have an opportunity to take another major step forward.
This journey has already cost our family enormously, physically, emotionally, and financially. Years of rehabilitation, nursing care, equipment, and lost income exhausted our resources long ago. But despite every setback, I continue to improve.
Today, I am fully independent, able to activate and feel my entire body, and more motivated than ever to keep pushing forward. What once felt impossible now feels achievable.
My goal is bigger than just my own recovery.
I want my story to give hope to people who have been told their situation will never improve. A prognosis is a doctor’s opinion, not necessarily your destiny.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and stood beside my family throughout this journey. Every donation, share, and message of support helps move me one step closer toward a fuller recovery.
Thank you for believing in me.
— Frank G.
Family and friends of Frank Guirlinger are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Injury.
Frank has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility to the full extent allowed by law for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
