Before the accident, Ralph was an active 29-year-old who loved riding his motorcycle and snowboarding. He is a devoted father to 4-year-old Kamilia, a caring brother, a loving son, and a loyal friend. He recently fulfilled his dream of moving to his favorite city, Denver, CO, and was excelling at his new career in car sales.

But life as he knew it was taken from Ralph practically overnight. Diagnosed with level T6 paraplegia, he now faces a disheartening prognosis: a 3 percent chance to ever walk again.

After spending 40 days in an intensive care unit and over 60 days in rehab, Ralph returned home on December 9, 2011. His survival and recovery is a result of his incredible spirit, hard work and determination, dedicated doctors, and the prayers and support of family and friends.

While his returning home was a significant milestone in Ralph’s recovery, we recognize that there is still a long road ahead and tremendous financial burden. Although Ralph has insurance coverage, it is limited and there are many items that it will not cover. These include home modifications, purchasing rehabilitation equipment, physical and occupational therapy sessions, purchasing a modified motor vehicle, medical supplies, and more. Some of the equipment necessary to help with his recovery includes an electrical stimulation bike, which costs approximately $15,000, and a specialized therapy sessions, which cost $75-$150 an hour. Ralph is also hoping to attend other highly specialized rehabilitation programs to help with his recovery. These programs and the specialized equipment may be his only chance of walking again; however, most are not covered by his insurance.

To help with the cost of these uninsured medical expenses and recovery–based therapies, a fundraising campaign has been established in Ralph’s honor with the Catastrophic Injury Program of HelpHOPELive. A nonprofit organization, HelpHOPELive has been assisting the transplant and spinal cord injury community for over 25 years. All contributions are administered by HelpHOPELive exclusively for uninsured medically-related expenses.

Please consider helping Ralph live as independently as possible and realize his dream of walking again by contributing to his HelpHOPELive fundraising campaign.

To make a tax-deductible contribution:

Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive Midwest/West Spinal Cord Injury Fund

Note in memo section:
In Honor of Ralph Rasiak

Mail to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087

For secure credit card donations:
Call 800-642-8399 or click the “CONTRIBUTE NOW” button.

For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800-642-8399.

Thanks for your support!

Loving Family and Friends.