Adam Pepiton, a graduate of Cesar Chavez High School, was living a full life as a college student studying Criminal Justice, working for Kmart and spending time with family and friends. Then on September 5th, 2010 his life changed forever. When leaving a friend’s house after a BBQ, he was the victim of a drive-by shooting in which he was shot in the head. The bullet entered on the left side and lodged in the skull on the right side. This type of injury has less than a 1% survival rate, so Adam surviving was a true miracle. After 5 weeks in ICU and Acute Care, Adam spent 8 weeks at an Acute Rehabilitation facilty. On December 2, 2010 he was discharged. While his return home was a significant milestone in Adam’s recover we recognize that there is still a long road ahead and that he faces a tremendous financial burden. Adam is diagnosed as a quadriparetic due to the brain injury This means he has feeling throughout is body but can’t control his legs, is weak in his trunk and has limited usage of left hand. Adam has a power wheelchair that allows for mobility by he still has a goal of walking again and living an independent life. He has started a class at a community college and trying to figure out what he wants to do to earn a living and contribute to others.
Although Adam has some insurance coverage, it turns out that there are many items that it will not cover or have large deductibles/copays. These include retrofitting the family home with an automatic door opener so that he can enter and exit the home on his own, purchasing rehabilitation equipment, a wheelchair van that he can transition into to drive, cognitive therapy, additional physical and occupational therapy sessions and more.
Won’t you please consider helping Adam realize his dream of an active life by contribution to his HelpHOPELive fundraising campaign?
Adam has chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive – The Leader in Fundraising Assistance and Support for Transplant and Catastrophic Injury in part because HelpHOPELive provides both tax-deductibility and fiscal accountability to contributors. Contributors can be sure that funds contributed will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800-642-8399.
Thanks for your support!
Tara & Robert Pepiton – parents
Stephnie & Tom Marquez – Aunt & Uncle
Dale & Pat Smith – grandparents
Updates (3)
October 25, 2015
Adam has been attending Phoenix Community College and South Mountain Community College. He has been working so hard on his grades. He's passed all his classes with either an A or B.
He continues to volunteer for Red Cross in their Volunteer Department where he makes sure the Volunteer processes are completed and then transfers them to the correct department once they are ready for volunteering.
He as a personal goal right now of losing enough weight to qualify to do therapy in the exoskelton suit. He's lost about 30 pounds and has about 10 more to go.
December 1, 2014
In 2014 Adam has been volunteering 2 days a week at the Red Cross. One day he works in the volunteer department processing new volunteer applications and all that entails. The other day he works at the reception desk answering phones, greeting people and giving out information. Two other days a week he has been attending Phoenix College with both an in person class and an online. Looking forward to 2015!!!
