Chances are that you know Charlie Cook. He had been living a very active life one that was tragically altered when he suffered a fall on August 4, 2012, shattering his C5 vertebra. Charlie is beloved by many for his wild antics with fire-eating, martial arts, painting, dancing, traveling, and more. He is a talented designer, and had a dream of one day returning to school to study to become a clinical psychologist. Following his accident, Charlie was diagnosed as a C5 quadriplegic. He came home from the hospital in September to live in Winston-Salem with his wonderfully supportive and loving girlfriend Vanessa Boynton.
Many of you have visited Charlie in the hospital or at his apartment on S. Cherry Street, and you know that he is one tough fighter. When the nurses told him to do 10 reps on his lung exerciser, he would do 20. When someone didn’t offer enough resistance for his arm exercises, he would say “again – more resistance!” He was a great favorite with his rehab therapists because he never quit and always had a smile and a joke, despite his pain or fatigue.
In spite of the many struggles he faces, Charlie is determined to return to a productive life in the community through the support of family and friends. He is going to intensive out-patient physical therapy to strengthen his back, shoulders, and arms, as well as occupational therapy to learn to use tools and equipment that will increase his capabilities and independence. (He is a fierce texter already, thanks to Siri.)
Unfortunately, many of the services that Charlie needs for his recovery are not covered by insurance. To help with the cost of uninsured medical rehabilitative expenses, a fundraising campaign has been established in Charlie’s honor with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. In 2000, they expanded their mission to include those that have suffered a catastrophic injury.
All contributions are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the South-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for injury-related expenses only. Please help us return Charlie to his independence and creativity by making a donation:
For secure credit card donations, select the “Donate Now” button or call 800.642.8399.
For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399.
If you would like to help us plan fundraising events for Charlie, we would love to have your help!
Please email lkammrath@gmail.com to volunteer.
Thank you for your compassion and support.
