I am writing to you on behalf of my younger brother, James Mason. As many of you know, in April James suffered a life-changing C4, C6 spinal cord injury as a result of an accidental fall. James is a quadriplegic with no movement in his legs and limited movement in his arms. He relies on a powered wheelchair for mobility and a stylus to manipulate things like his phone. James uses a utensil in his wristbands which allows him to complete everyday activities such as eating and grooming. Despite these challenges, he remains a fun loving person whose number one goal is to make the people around him laugh.
Currently, James is receiving outpatient physical and occupational therapy and attends Race to Walk in Mooresville, NC. With every passing day, James continues to make strides with an upbeat, positive attitude, and is hoping to be accepted at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA for additional daily intensive therapy. James and the family feel Shepherd is where he will make tremendous gains. He is determined to not only to regain all movement in his arms and hands, but to walk again.
James holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Oneonta and about a year ago, he had decided to take his career in a new direction and study radiography. Over the past year, James worked hard at prerequisite courses and took the entry exam (he scored in the 98th percentile). While his career goals and favorite past times such as skateboarding are on hold, James continues to keep his eyes on the prize.
Even with insurance, James will have many uninsured, injury-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, monthly medical supplies and therapy at both Race to Walk and the Shepherd Center.
To help with these uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in James’ honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 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 HelpHOPELive in the South-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for injury-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation:
To contribute by credit card:
Select the DONATE NOW button or call 800.642.8399
OR
Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive
Note in memo section:
In honor of James Mason
Please send to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
Thank you in advance for your support of my brother during this difficult time. Together we can make a difference in his life.
Sincerely,
Nicole McMeans (sister)
