It was eight years ago today, that my son Chaz sustained a spinal cord injury after diving into a powerful wave on Plum Island. After months at Craig Rehab in Colorado, he was given the prognosis that he would be fortunate to just be able to shrug his shoulders. Chaz never believed it. There is no doubt that his athletic background — skiing, surfing, and mountain biking has cascaded into his rehab, and every single day I watch him push himself through pain, obstacles and traditional thinking.

I believe he envisions rehabilitation from the perspective of a mountain climber charting his way into foreign, steep and undiscovered territory. Every day he trains, marks his progress, optimizes the present and plans for the future. Last week at his yearly medical appointment, his physician noted that progress was “remarkable.” He has recovered quite a bit of strength in his arms, shoulders, abdominals and back.

I know that he has only been able to make this physical progress because of the immense support of family and friends. For instance, generous financial support has helped him maintain a wheelchair accessible van. Without this van, he would not be able to travel to physical rehabilitation sessions or to Lesley University where he is a master’s candidate.

Trials have begun!

After years of lobbying, writing letters and watching science progress, I am pleased to be able to write that within the last month two clinical trials aimed at restoring the spinal cord have received the green light by the U.S. FDA. An Iraqi war veteran will be one of the first to receive the stem cell therapy and Chaz is hopeful (and training himself) that will one day become a part of a future clinical trial.

As a father, I am thrilled for him. Yet I know that the associated lifetime costs for spinal cord patients are astronomical, between private rehabilitation, equipment, supplies and other medical expenses. By one estimate, the average yearly expense for a quadriplegic is over $138,928 — a financial challenge that Chaz cannot meet alone. Additionally, the CDC estimates that an individual living with a spinal cord injury will have between $500,000 and $3 million dollars in lifetime out-of-pocket expenses.

To help offset such expenses, a fundraising campaign in Chaz’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for injury-related expenses only. If you would like to make a contribution please click the DONATE NOW bar.Thank you in advance for your contributions and continued support.

Chuck Southard
chsouthard@gmail.com