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In a freak accident, I was thrown headfirst over the handlebars of my bike and suffered a life changing C3 complete spinal cord injury. I was immediately rushed to the hospital and then airlifted to Indianapolis.
After making it through some grueling surgeries in the ICU that very day, I began to comprehend the weight of what this accident had done to me. I had lost sensation from my shoulders down. Those first nights, and then weeks, were the most difficult I had ever borne. I was breathing from a ventilator and had cold metal bolts fastened to my spine. I could not eat or drink anything and had no control over anything but my own thoughts. I spent several weeks in the ICU and then was transferred to two different rehabilitation centers in Indy. After two of the longest months of my life I was finally able to come home, having conquered the ventilator but still unable to feel or move anything below my shoulders.
My enjoyment of physical activity has never diminished throughout my life. My accident occurred on one of my daily bike rides, an activity I had simply taken for granted as routine. Running, biking, swimming, I loved it all. Before the accident, I was working as a senior research scientist at Purdue University, conducting research in both chemical and aerospace engineering, something that I had devoted my days to. Even now, I am striving to be as involved as I can, continuing to input on the projects I was working on. On that day, much was taken from me. What I was left with, I realized, was more valuable then I could ever realize. I am in awe of how blessed I am to have the support of my family and a small army of friends and helpers. This is a road that I am afraid I might have to walk for the rest of my life, and I know now better than ever that I cannot do it alone. I have always tried to be self-sufficient in life, preferring to give to others before ever asking for help myself. However, the reality is that our financial expenses are tremendous, even with insurance and familial support.
I am itching to put my brain to work again and continue to advance the research I am a part of that can help others. This is a challenge not to taken lightly. It will require what feels like a never-ending stream of expenses such as therapy, medical supplies, electronic equipment, wheelchairs, and vehicle accommodations. If you are looking to offer help, donating to Help Hope Live will provide me with the support I need to conquer the towering challenges ahead of me. I thank each and everyone of you from the bottom of my heart, from one human being in need to another.
Thank you.
Linas Mockus
Family and friends of Linas Mockus are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Injury.
Linas has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility 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!
Hello friends far and wide!
We are interested in attending a Joni and Friends Family Retreat.
Family Retreat offers a safe and accepting Christ-centered environment for individuals affected by disability and their families making it a little slice of heaven for everyone! At Family Retreat, families are cared for, encouraged, and rejuvenated in an accessible camp environment.
How can you help?
Please pray for me and my family. If you feel led and are able, please click the link below to sponsor my parents to attend a retreat. Thank you for your support!
http://form.joniandfriends.org/site/TR?px=1729049&pg=personal&fr_id=2233&et=iX3TAipjaOEEALq0aWnRHX5SxSdA_rh9aFQmab1djY4TKqnaVuAi9Q
PS. The picture in the link is not of our family. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to change it.
Hello all and Happy New Years!
I hope that you are all doing well and would like, for the first time this year, to extend our gratitude once again to all of our helpers and friends without whom we'd never be able to do it. Linas has had his Baclofen pump for a little over a month now. It's not without its own issues, but thankfully it has done wonders to reduce his spasms. One of his biggest challenges was getting a good nights sleep; his spasms would often wake him in significant pain. The pump has practically eliminated this issue, which is extremely good news! We are continuing to try our best to overcome all of the challenges life keeps throwing at us, of which there are a wide variety. However, without all of you, we would not be able to do any of it at all. This Christmas, we were absolutely floored by the kindness and generosity shown to us in all of your letters and your gifts! We have encountered the wonderful problem of having too many thank you cards to write! Again, thank you all for all that you do; our gratitude cannot be expressed in words
Hello all,
Thank you again and again for your continued love and support that you keep bringing to us. You never let us forget what love and kindness feels like, and our gratitude for all that you do is endless. I am writing to give you all a brief update on what's going on. Outside of the hectic chaos of our daily lives and all of the trials that are brought to us, there is not too much to report on the past. Linas is getting a little bit stronger month by month. Our progress is certainly being measured in baby steps now. The news we wanted to bring to you with this update is that Linas had surgery for a Baclofen pump in November. It went well, and Linas is well into the recovery process. He is able to sleep much better and so far his muscle spasms have gone down and spasticity has relaxed, greatly increase his quality of life.
Thank you all again.
One of the local newspapers, Purdue Exponent, covered our story. Check it out here: https://www.purdueexponent.org/campus/article_3993b9f9-a046-58e7-8ed0-9c473051eda2.html
Thank you all again so much for all your support in my dads recovery journey. Paul, Linas's oldest son, is writing this update.
My family and I were recently able to visit my dad (we live in Pacific Northwest). The changes I could see in my dad between my previous visit and this one, both physically and mentally, were extremely positive. My dad's overall energy during the day has increased, resulting in him being able to keep up and entertain his grandkids (they enjoyed seeing him drive himself around in his powerchair as well as sitting on his lap during said rides). He is eating with everyone else at the dinner table, no more liquid diet through the feeding tube. When I went to physical therapy with my dad, I couldn't believe the amount of movement I was seeing. During one of the sessions, my dad was hooked up to a machine that measures the amount of torque he can apply doing a certain motion. I was able to see torque readings from both of his arms when he was both pushing and pulling, as well as internally and externally rotating his arm. During another session, I saw my dad raise his hips by a few inches on his own, and even lift up slightly from a seated position. He even does this move where he is sitting in his chair and doing what looks like dribbling a soccer ball. The movements aren't necessarily big, but they are there, they are intentional, and they are very hopeful. My dad is also back at his research, which he enjoys so much. He is able to participate in meeting with his colleagues and truly help advance the projects that he is working on. He is really quite efficient with using his computer with just his eyes and voice, taking advantage of the accessibility technology that is out there.
There's no doubt that we're still at the early stages of the recovery journey, and while it may be long and have its ups and downs, it's with your continued help and support that help push my dad through it all. Thank you again for all you do for us and God Bless.
Thank you so much to each and every one of your for all of the support you have given us so far; whether it has been financial or through some kind words, or a letter. We appreciate each and every one of you and are simply astounded at this outpouring of love. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined there were such kind and giving people out there who would be willing to support me like this. The purpose of this update is to share some of the major good news we've had, of which your contributions have been a great part of. We have firmly settled into our home routine now, taking on each day at its beginning and doing our best to roll with the punches. There have been quite a few setbacks and issues throughout these past months, but we've managed to deal with them as they rose up, in no small part thanks to all of you. Life has been far from drudgery and sadness however; there have been numerous boons and blessings given to us. Insurance recently approved the purchase of my own custom power chair! This is a big step forward in my mobility and capabilities. We are extremely excited as we move forward with the next steps in our negotiations with insurance. I have also recently been cleared to eat (somewhat) solid foods. For now, everything has to be mushed into a blender before I can have it, but it is an absolute joy to be able to taste real food again. Progress has been slow and tough, but it still has been progress. For that, I am always grateful. Over these past few months our family has faced many challenges together. Through all of your immense and unyielding support, as well as through the amazing efforts of my own family, we've been able to overcome everything that has been thrown at us. As such, I must thank you all again. I would not be here the way I am today if it was not for all of you. You are all, quite literally, life changing. Thank you again.
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Praying for continued progress and a miraculous complete recovery!!
JD Miller
Hi Linas,
Found out about your tragic accident just yesterday (6/30/2021), one year after the fact. Had no idea because for the past 14 months I have stayed mostly at home, with virtually no contact with the department. Read on-line about the steady progress you are making. It is very encouraging that you are gaining control and movement in your extremities, and have started working for a limited amount of time every day. Please don\'t hesitate to contact me (765 404 0065) if you need any help. We are wishing you a speedy recovery and return back to some normalcy. I know you are mentally and physically very tough. You will come out of this setback soon.
Girish
May God continue to shower you with many blessings!
Bea Rodgers
May God continue to bless you and your family on your journey toward more mobility and acceptance of your new way of life. My husband and I are former members of St. Tom\'s but have moved to Westfield two years ago. We will keep you all in our prayers and may God hold you in the palm of his hand
Bill and Jane Bremer
We are so happy to have had a chance to participate in your recovery due to Fr. Patrick Baikauskas giving us your information. We make this donation in honor of Fr. Patrick's Anniversary to the priesthood.
God bless you and your family!
Kathy and Don Pearson
Springfield, IL
Kathy and Don Pearson
I hope you find and get all the resources that you need!
Anonymous
Praying with confidence that the Lord will make a way!
Willie States
We wish you Godspeed and God’s healing.
Eileen Arthur
I am pleased to contribute at the request of Father Patrick Baikuskas.
ellen craig
Father Patrick was a joy to know in West Lafayette and so I am happy to support this effort that he introduced to me. I am a retired nurse and have cared for a number of people with paralysis over the years. I share the joy you and your family have and hope you will continue to persevere.
Sheila Rosenthal
Best of luck, Linas. We wish you all the best and are keeping you in our thoughts.
Kris Ezra
Praying for you every day, for your courage and strength. Mary L.
Mary Lucey
Love and Prayers to all your family
Dee Bernhardt
One of the nicest families. May God bless you all!
Randall STUDT
Dalia, I’ve thought about you many times this school year and wondered when I’d see your friendly face around school again, all along not knowing you were at home just a few blocks away dealing with THIS! I hadn’t heard! —Whatever I can do to help. I hope to see you again soon. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Nicole Spurlock
Sending love and hugs to you all.
Ann Gerlach
Saw this shared by Fr. Patrick. Praying for Mockus family!
Paul Thomas
Praying for you!
Jane Creswell
Dalia, I am praying for your strength as a caregiver.
Alice Sue Green
Linas- You may not know or remember, but my dad had a very similar accident in the spring of 2001. He had the great luxury of being supported by the US Veterans Administration through the many challenges that resulted from being paralyzed. He passed away this spring, shortly after turning 90. While the paralysis was a big part of his life, he didn't let it dominate his life.
Figure it out. Live. Love. Laugh.
Jack
Jonathan Vinson
Sorry to hear of the accident Linas. I pray that the Lord will be and help you in your journey so that you can still use your gifts and talents. I also pray for healing. God bless you richly.
Lois Amari
Dear Linas,
I am very sorry for your terrible bike accident.
I hope this donation can help you and your family get through these hard times.
Best wishes for a fast recovery,
Francesco.
Francesco Rossi
Martha and I hope this donation may help you in your journey.
Sincerely,
Robert Lucht
Robert Lucht
Everything will be fine. It will take time and patience, but he will recover.
Anonymous
Love and all good wishes
Tom Carson
I am praying that God grant you strength, courage and healing!
Andra Liepa (friend of Daiva Miller)
Andra Liepa
We will be praying for you, Linas, and for your whole family.
Robert Enright
Praying for you and your family. Keep getting stronger, you got this!
-Nurse Jill
Jillian Fox
This could happen to anybody. Even people who have never met him, can feel the pain. God bless him and comfort him and his family.
Teresa Tercero
Stiprybes!
From one Linas to another...
Linas Sidrys, M.D.
Chicago
Linas Sidrys, M.D.
We were so sorry to hear about this accident. Praying for healing and hope for Linas and strength for the whole family. May God bless you even through this trying time, the Lazarz family
Aissa Lazarz
We are praying for you, your dad, and your whole family, Dominic. May Christ be with you through this difficult time.
Hannah Thoman
I'm very sorry to hear about Linas's accident. I know that he is a very strong person, which gives me hope for his recovery. Much love to everyone in the Mockus family!
-Dan
Daniel Carson
I was so sorry to hear that this happened. Linas has always been a sweet and active guy and a great dad. I know Linas has a great support system with you guys and I am excited to be able to keep track of his recovery.
Love,
Alex
Alex Kirschenbaum
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Linas Mockus
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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