Chris Davis was coaching his son’s mountain biking team on May 31st when he fell and fractured his neck (C3/C4). The original prognosis was that he would be completely quadriplegic with no movement and ventilator dependent. Since then, Chris has made remarkable progress so that he is now breathing on his own and also regaining significant movement in his arms and legs. This progress is absolutely incredible, but it has been made possible because of Chris and his family’s incredibly hard work, but also because of the critical support of a team of trained professionals who know how to maximize and push every little bit of function.
There are three important things to know about life after a catastrophic injury:
• The first two years are critical: It is possible for the body to recover function after a catastrophic spinal cord injury, but the first year (and then to a lesser extent, the second year), is when the most gains will happen.
• This is a “Move It or Lose It” situation: The only way for Chris to regain and then maintain function is for him to move as much as possible. Right now, he can stand and take steps with supported assistance (which is amazing). New research shows taking even 20 steps a day will make a huge difference to future potential to walk. Chris can’t do this stuff alone, though. He needs the support of a team of people who know how to help him safely and effectively and he needs the equipment to do it on/with.
• Any little gain in movement is a gain in independence: Every little gain that Chris can make, especially with his arms, is critical to his future independence. Independence is valuable by itself, but it also has long term financial implications. The more that Chris can do for himself, the less caregiving support he will need for the rest of his life.
With these three things in mind, the Davis family is committing itself to intensely focusing on maximizing Chris’s recovery over the next 12-18 months. To make this possible, they need your help. To maximize his recovery in this critical year, Chris needs:
• As much time in physical therapy and occupational therapy as possible (hopefully no less than 2-4 hours a day)
• The support of a caregiver who can not only help him with the small tasks of daily life, but also help him stretch his muscles and keep range of motion so that they can move (lack of movement will “freeze-up” inhibiting future motion)
• Special exercise equipment that will allow him to spend as much time as possible moving (this includes a specialized Functional Electrical Stimulation bicycle and a standing frame)
In addition to this, the family needs to make some essential home accessibility modifications
And specialized medical and adaptive equipment
(including adding automatic door openers, shower chairs, a specialized bed, etc.) and needs to purchase a special van to make it so that Chris can live comfortably in his home and get around comfortably with his family.
Insurance only covers some of this. Right now, their insurance covers 30 PT/OT visits per year (less than once a week for one hour… obviously not enough to maximize gains). It covers some caregiving support, but not enough to make sure that Chris gets that stretching he needs. Our estimates is that it will take about $200,000 to support Chris’s recovery over the next 12-18 months. A gift of $150 can help Chris get a session with a physical therapist who can help him work on feeding himself (or hoisting a beer). A gift of $500 can get him most of a week of therapy. A gift of $1000 or more could help him purchase new voice activated smart home equipment so that he has as much independence at home as possible.
We are asking for your support to help cover the costs of the expenses that aren’t covered by insurance so that Chris can take advantage of this critical year and make all the gains he possibly can.
Some families in this situation sell their homes, pull their children out of school, and make other major life changes to make this type of care possible. In addition to help Chris maximize his gains, our goal is to help the Davis family avoid these major changes, and help them keep as much continuity as possible (especially for their son).
Your gift through Help Hope Live is 100% tax deductible (unlike Go Fund Me). It is also fully eligible for any matching gift programs that your employer might have. You should also know that Help Hope Live can accept gifts of appreciated stock or IRA rollover gifts, both which can have serious tax advantages for you. If you have any questions (including questions about employer matching gifts and gifts of stock/ IRA rollovers), Help Hope Live has a great FAQ page here.
Thank you for help us help the Davis family.
Updates (1)
October 21, 2019
To follow updates on Chris's recovery, go to www.caringbridge.org
Photo Galleries (1)
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Guestbook
December 7, 2020
We admire you so much Chris, keep up the good work. Hope this helps a little.
Roger & Nancy MacPherson
July 19, 2020
Keep the great progress up, Chris!
Glenn Snyder
June 9, 2020
Chris,
I feel fortunate to have been introduced to you and Anne Marie and so admire your strength and positivity despite such challenging and unwanted circumstances. Your grit is inspiring and I wish you continued progress and happiness ahead. Cheers to you both!
Curran
Curran Hagstrom
April 23, 2020
From the Deloitte UW Team - since we can't bring you dinner for a while!
Debi Lelinski
March 28, 2020
Beer money now that you can raise your arm! Since I can't be there to buy you one. And maybe some rehab hours once we get done with quarantine. Thinking of you three. Brad and Krista J
brad jurkovich
March 5, 2020
You've come so far, Chris! Keep up the good work, you are definitely an inspiration for all of us!
All Best,
Jeremy Glover
Jeremy Glover
January 3, 2020
Chris, Ann Marie and Keegan,
You are an inspiration to all of us. We think about you daily and are so excited to see the progress you are making. We know that you and your family's strength (both physical and emotional) is strong and will propel your recovery to great heights!
Hope to visit again soon!
Your friends always!
Lynne, Zane, Zach and Sydney Sterrett
Lynne Sterrett
January 2, 2020
Praying to the Lord for your full recovery, God bless!!
george mendonca
December 29, 2019
Our Thoughts are with you - keep up the good work and progress!!!
Bob & Patti Steigmeyer
December 22, 2019
Keep up the superhero work, Chris and family. So grateful for the tremendously supportive community that's rallying around you. I imagine this road to recovery seems daunting. Overwhelmingly so. Yet you're going places. Day by day. One triumph at a time. You got this.
Liz Gillespie
December 22, 2019
Chris - we are thinking about you and sending you all of our strength! With love, Janet and Kent Foutty
Janet Foutty
December 20, 2019
Chris, you are an inspiration to us all! All my best for continued healing in 2020.
Cindy Cerneka
December 20, 2019
Sending my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Chris and his family. I wish them perseverance and peace through this recovery process. Chris is an inspiration for the amazing progress he has already made and the challenges he conquers daily.
Maureen Medlock
December 20, 2019
Chris - we miss your good cheer, precise points and drive for excellence daily. I hope you feel better soon.
Rohit Pereira
December 20, 2019
Chris, thinking of you and wishing you the best. Jason
Jason Girzadas
December 20, 2019
Praying for your continued recovery, my Deloitte colleague.
Misi Daley
December 20, 2019
Godspeed and Merry Christmas, Chris.
Lynne Sherbondy Lynne Sherbondy
December 20, 2019
Best of luck on your recovery. Know that your Deloitte family is thinking about you and wishing you well. You are in our prayers. A. Johnson (Houston Audit)
Andrew Johnson
December 16, 2019
Your family is always in our thoughts. Keep up the good work - all of you!
Guy and Tina Rowley
December 13, 2019
Ethan and Keegan are good friends. One of Ethan's Christmas presents is choosing a charity to donate to, he chose helping Keegan's dad!
Arden Waters
December 6, 2019
So glad Chris is home and still making progress. We follow all your updates on Caring Bridge. Here's a small gift to keep the progress going!
Aggie and Chick Sweeney
December 5, 2019
I want to see Chris lift a beer! And I want to be there to share it with him.
Stay strong, my friend!
Doug
Douglas Baugh
December 5, 2019
We are rooting for you, Chris! Keep up the great work!
Kuntz Family
December 3, 2019
Keep up the hard work, Chris! Josh and Sasha Nelson
JOSHUA NELSON
December 2, 2019
Here’s to the journey Chris! Cheering you all the way from Windsor, Ontario!
Lyn Baluyot and Trevor Bennet and kids
Noralyn Baluyot
December 2, 2019
Chris - good luck with your therapy we are pulling for you. Best wishes, the Henzke family
Len Henzke
December 2, 2019
Happy Holidays Chris and Family! Thinking of you often!
Polly Minugh
Polly Minugh
November 30, 2019
Your family is always in our thoughts. Keep up the good work - all of you!
Guy and Tina Rowley
November 23, 2019
Hi Chris - glad to read you’re back home with your family. I see you have a new kitten - I love cats as well. I adopted my Mom’s cat last Christmas and she has been good company for me ever since. Sounds like the PT is going well and you’re making good strides. Take care.
Brian Fletcher
November 8, 2019
Chris and Annie keep up the good work you are an inspiration to us all!
Patricis Lawrence
November 2, 2019
You and your family are an inspiration to us all. Keep on keeping on, we are all behind you.
Sandy and Bill
Sandy Hubbell
November 2, 2019
Chris and Anne,
Continue to be strong. We miss you and are wishing you the best from Texas!
Greg and BK
Burnett King
October 31, 2019
Hello Chris, Anne Marie and Keegan - We support you all! We're so amazed by Chris' progress in the past few months, and continue to pray and send love your way for ongoing recovery and rehab. You all are amazing!
Much love,
Rob, Angela and Vincent
Robert and Angela Millar
October 28, 2019
Wishing more strength with each coming day.
Brandi Diaz
October 28, 2019
You know, Chris and Anne Marie, that we all like to support our friends in their health-related fundraisers - the 5K runs, the Cascade summits, and various cycling adventures. I'm happy to consider making this an annual gift as I know that Chris will be gaining physical capacity and manual dexterity for quite a while to come. Keep exploding the expectations, Chris! XXO
Jacob Mihalak
October 28, 2019
We are all with you, Chris. All the warmth, love and wishes!
Anonymous
October 28, 2019
Dear Chris. I will always remember your kind words and infectious smile from my time at Deloitte. May you go from strength to strength my friend.
Asma Saif
October 26, 2019
chris - you are our strongman from Seattle and your smile and wit is always infectious - look forward to catching up soon.
Rohit Pereira
October 25, 2019
Chris, your determination and progress has been truly stunning. Anne Marie your bravery and support have been heartwarming. I don’t know you well but know your experience has made a huge impression on me and has given me valuable perspective every day of my life.
Rooting, praying, and sending good vibes to you all!!!
Wendy and Bruce McKee
October 25, 2019
I admire your strength and determination. Sending you best wishes, positive energy and healing vibrations. Peace, Love and Light!
Shivika Singal
October 25, 2019
We’re routing for your progress Chris!
Glenn Snyder
October 24, 2019
Get well Chris!
Yen Liao
October 24, 2019
Prayers and best wishes for your recovery Chris.
Christopher Costello
October 23, 2019
Keep making progress Chris. You are an inspiration to many, including me. Talk soon!
Marc Perlman
October 23, 2019
Welcome home, Chris! We're all behind you and inspired by your progress and determination. Amazing advances and more to come. See you soon!
Lori and Mark Gorski
October 23, 2019
Sending love and positive thoughts. I watched my parents face staggering health care costs associated with my dad's degenerative disease in the final years of his life. Insurance denied most coverage because Parkinsons is degenerative and can't be cured. My dad worried that he might live too long and leave my mom without financial security. Many people are surprised to learn that insurance policies often don't cover the costs of catastrophic injuries, degenerative diseases and many other serious health challenges. No one should have to worry about the cost of health care. Hopefully soon we will pass comprehensive health care for all Americans like the rest of the developed world. I wish I had more to give. xoxoxo
Sheri Pewitt
October 23, 2019
Welcome back to Seattle! We think of you daily and are so excited for all your progress! Please let us know if there’s something we can do locally for you.
Vincent and Kirsten (Mecklenburg) Turner
October 23, 2019
May God grant you the strength to work through this adversity. Thoughts and prayers from one of your Deloitte colleagues.
Paul Vetrano
October 23, 2019
We love you Chris!!!!!
Jessica Bier
October 23, 2019
You’ve come so far already, Chris, all the best as you keep moving forward!
Kimberly Mulqueen
October 23, 2019
Good thoughts from a Deloitte colleague
Anonymous
October 23, 2019
So proud of all you’ve accomplished thus far and think of you often. You and you’re family are in my thoughts and prayers and we’re cheering you on all the way!
Jody Spaulding
October 23, 2019
Go Chris Go!
Brian Goble
October 23, 2019
Chris you are and always will be my hero!
Marilyn Sinkewich
October 23, 2019
For our dear friend Chris - get well soon and hope this helps you with some of your medical expenses. Hope to see you soon!
Tim and Beth Smith
Timothy Smith
October 23, 2019
Sending love to Chris! Love, Steph and Rob Newkirchen
Stephanie Newkirchen
October 22, 2019
Chris and family,
We are here for you!
With Love, Strength, and Continued Healing Thoughts Coming Your Way,
Nicole LeDonne and family & Your Deloitte family
Nicole LeDonne
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Help Hope Live
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In honor of Christopher R Davis
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2 Radnor Corporate Center
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Radnor, PA 19087
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