Support Seth Kurpiel’s Spinal Cord Injury Recovery - Fundraising for the medical expenses insurance does not cover -
My brother, Seth Kurpiel, a married 45-year-old father of two young boys, suffered a catastrophic cervical spinal cord injury on April 6, 2025. The neck injury resulted in his inability to move his arms and legs, and initially, he could not feel anything from the neck down. Seth’s family and friends are raising money to help offset the substantial medical expenses that insurance does not cover. We are grateful to have the help of the well-respected 501c3 non-profit, Help Hope Live, which specializes in fundraising for uninsured medical expenses. Your donation will go directly to Seth’s medical expenses and is completely tax-deductible. Please share Seth’s story and bring him home.
Updates (8)
June 27, 2025
This past week, the PTs and OTs really challenged Seth and he was up for the task; 3 lb. weights were wrapped around each of Seth's ankles and he walked on the treadmill while one of the physical therapists dropped small sandbags in his path that he practiced stepping over. They also made an "obstacle course" for him in the gym by placing several canes on the floor for him to step over. I especially love the symbolism of him stepping over the canes instead of using them, as if to say he is determined to get past this and get back to his original self. Seth also stood in the gym while in a harness for protection against falling, and the PT tried to test his balance by gently pushing him from side to side. Not every time is successful, but every day in it's own was is a success. As one of the PT's, Darla, always says, "if you're not tired after one of my work-outs then it wasn't really a work-out." In a break from walking inside the hospital, the PT took him outside to practice walking with a walker on the streets of NYC - not an easy task on the often uneven pavement!Seth and I also got the chance to celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary by going out to dinner in the city for a much-needed break from hospital food! Thank you for continuing to send messages to support him, and thank you to all of you who have donated since I last posted an update!
June 9, 2025
I like to call this week's update "grit." Although words like "determination" and "mental toughness" have been used commonly to reflect Seth's mindset towards his recovery, after watching several of his PT and OT sessions, the word grit also seems fitting. Grit means keeping the mindset of determination and perseverance over a long period of time despite challenges and set-backs. It's easy to be determined in ideal circumstances, but it takes grit to keep that determination along with tenacity and resilience when situations are less than ideal. Seth continues to get intermittent spasms in his extremities when he is using his strength to change position or move, yet he waits for them to pass, and then presses on with his activity. This past week, he was able to walk halfway around the rehab unit with a PT at each elbow, as seen in the picture from this week's update. His primary PT said that she does not want him using a walker to practice walking, since doing so may foster bad habits like poor posture, but even more so because she can see Seth being able to walk without one. She can see the actualization of his long-term goals and knows that they are achievable. His OT commented this past week that he has not worked with such a hard-working patient in the past several years. So let's continue to cheer Seth on with his continued hard work. And the next time you are faced with a difficult life obstacle, take a lesson from Seth and use a little grit.-Morgan
Photo Galleries (3)
Guestbook
July 5, 2025
Keep up the positive attitude and hard work!!!
You are an amazing person!!!
Praying for a speedy recovery!!!
Fondly
Elyse Lyons
Elyse Lyons
June 20, 2025
Dear Seth and Morgan,
My heart goes out to you and your family. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Love,
Alison
Alison Kirshner Kalinski
June 19, 2025
Sending love and strength to you all!
Nicole Katz
