I am writing to you on behalf of our brother, Mike Bates, a beloved husband, father and a true friend to many. Mike suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury following a devastating motorcycle accident over the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday. This was while camping in the desert with family and friends, a 40 year family tradition. Mike is now a C2 quadriplegic.
Mike graduated from Cleveland HS and San Diego State University. He served in the active and reserve Navy completing multiple deployments over a 26 year career with tours of duty taking part in every major operation over the last quarter century including the 1991 Gulf War, operations in Afghanistan since 2001 and the 2003 War in Iraq. His last deployment was to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom with the Seabees as a Lieutenant Commander in the Civil Engineer Corps. Mike worked as an engineer for Sony and at the time of his accident, worked for Qualcomm in the San Diego area. Mike and his wife, Christine, along with their three children (14, 16 and 25) share a love of family sports — boating, camping, and off-roading.
Since “graduating” from Craig Rehabilitation Center in CO, and returning to San Diego County at the VA hospital in La Jolla, funds from Help Hope Live helped to purchase a new van with driving adaptations, lots of therapy equipment and modify their motorhome so they can continue to camp as a family. Funds continue to pay for in home therapy and equipment. Many friends and business acquaintances also helped to modify his home to accommodate his mobility and rehab needs. For these, our family is extremely grateful.
Although Mike’s recovery is a function of hard work and patience, the family remains hopeful that with the support of family and friends he will continue making progress towards an even more productive life.
From my point of view, Mike’s recovery and rehab has been remarkable. The Veteran’s Administration, along with Mike’s attitude, has been a huge reason for this development. He continues to receive excellent therapy and I am happy to report that Mike is driving his heavily modified van and is active in the community!
Even with insurance and the Veterans Administration, the family will face many uninsured, injury-related expense such as: an advanced rehab program, possible additional surgeries or procedures, co-pays and deductibles and possible additional home modifications. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that a spinal cord injury patient will have between $500,000 and $3 million in lifetime uninsured injury-related expenses.
To help offset these uninsured expenses, this fundraising campaign in Mike’s honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years. In 2000, they expanded their mission to include those who have sustained a catastrophic injury. All contributions are tax deductible, are held by Help Hope Live in the Southwest Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for injury-related expenses only. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. Mike and his family wish to thank everyone who has contributed in so many different ways — donations, time and prayers.
Sincerely,
Steve Bates
You can contact Mike at:
info@mikesscijourney.com
