Help Hope Live for Reid Mukai

“I NEED YOUR SUPPORT!” On Friday April 5, 2024, I headed to work by bicycle as I usually did in good weather. About two weeks later, I woke up in the ICU at Harborview Hospital and realized I couldn’t breathe on my own, move my limbs, or speak. It was explained that I had suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury due to a crash on my commute that morning. I had been saved by medics who were immediately on the scene, intubated me, and took me directly to the ER. I had been through a 5-hour neck and back surgery to prevent further damage and protect life sustaining respiratory and circulatory functions. I also found out that a few days after the surgery, my heart stopped, a “code blue” was called, and skilled medical staff brought me back with CPR and other interventions. Though I was in much physical and emotional pain, I was grateful for a second chance at life. After several weeks, with the support of friends and family and the staff at Harborview, my health stabilized, and I was moved to the Trauma Rehabilitation Unit a few days before my 50th birthday. I eventually was able to breathe on my own and started speaking and eating again. I have a C4 incomplete spinal cord injury and am mobile with the use of a power wheelchair that I control with head buttons since I cannot use my hands. I was discharged from Harborview on June 18th, and still need the help of medical professionals and caregivers to manage pain, prevent health complications related to spinal cord injury, and continue my rehabilitation and recovery.