Some of you know that this past January, our sons, Chris and Tommy were involved in a horrific accident returning to Flagstaff. Chris was driving and as he came around a curve on the highway (around Munds Park) was surprised by a herd of deer crossing the road. He swerved left, went into the soft median and then over corrected causing the vehicle to cross back over the highway and slammed head on into a rock cliff. The impact slammed the vehicle back onto the highway, where it was struck by a tractor-trailer rig, traveling 75 mph. Chris has recovered, but unfortunately, Tommy fractured his neck (C-6, C-7 spinal cord) and is now a quadriplegic.
Tommy is now paralyzed from the chest down. He has very limited use of his arms but not his hands or wrists. We are hoping that with aggressive therapy, Tommy’s work ethic and his relationship with God, he will regain as much of his abilities as possible. The years of playing football, especially those at Arizona State, have prepared Tommy for this battle. Tommy’s attitude is positive and thru intensive rehab he is determined to become as independent as possible.
Tommy’s insurance is very limited and we are now faced with overwhelming out of pocket expenses. We are temporarily in Utah where Tommy is working intensely at Neuroworx which we have been told is one of the best spinal cord rehabilitation facilities in the country. None of this is covered by insurance. In addition Tommy desperately needs an upgraded wheel chair (“Wheel-assist version”). Other expenses he will incur are adaptive equipment, ongoing intensive rehabilitation therapy, a caregiver, and he is hoping that he someday will be able to live independently. We are up against a challenge we cannot meet alone and need your help.
To help with Tommy’s financial burden of uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his 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 in the Southwest Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for injury-related expenses only. Please consider an end of year tax-deductible contribution. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.
On behalf of Tommy and our families, thank you for your kindness, generosity, support and prayers.
Patty and Tom Ohmart
480-229-4837
[email protected]
For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
