On May 15, 2011, my life drastically changed when a late-night ride with a friend turned into a lifealtering motor vehicle accident. My friend lost control of the vehicle, which caused the car to flip several times and ejecting me from it. I was airlifted to the nearest Trauma Center in Jackson, Mississippi. After I woke up and became cognizant of my location, I was petrified and unable to move my limbs.
The doctor explained to me that I was in a car accident, and I fractured my C4 vertebrae in my spine, which rendered me paralyzed from biceps down. I had a 50-50 chance of never walking or moving my upper extremities again. My friend suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, he was under the influence of alcohol, and I wasn’t aware of it before I got into the vehicle. An avalanche of tears fell down my face as I struggled with breathing tubes, feeding tubes, and barely able to speak.
In spite of living with paralysis, I continued to persevere through the overwhelming circumstance by showing great strength. My story and journey has had a profound effect on so many people. It has created an avenue for public speaking, mass media, journalism, volunteerism, peer mentoring, being an ambassador for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and more. At the time of my accident I was a college student. Years after my accident I decided to continue my education. Now, I have a BA in communication studies and minor in psychology. I am campaigning to raise funds for expenses towards a wheelchair accessible vehicle, medical necessities, and other financial burdens that’s keeping me from living a better quality of life with a spinal cord injury.
Donations Can improve my quality of life. I will have comfort, and stability by knowing that I have sufficiencies and resources as a added betterment to a life that I am destined to live.
Family and friends of Rakeem Bowdry are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Injury.
Rakeem has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
