Colin Bales

If there’s one thing Colin Bales has never been accused of, it’s sitting still.

Whether he’s golfing, cheering on the Minnesota Wild, serving in the Air National Guard, or planning the next adventure with family and friends, Colin has always lived life on the move—with joy, purpose, and an unwavering willingness to help others.

Raised in Lakeville, Minnesota, Colin later moved to Fargo, North Dakota, where he attended North Dakota State University before earning his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Jamestown University. He is an exceptional physical therapist who is deeply loved by his patients and colleagues alike.

Colin also proudly serves with the Air National Guard’s 119th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron based in Fargo. During his service, he deployed to Jordan in support of his country.

He and his wife, Amy, now call Park Rapids, Minnesota, home, where they have built a life centered around family, friends, and serving others.

On July 4, 2026, Colin suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury in a diving accident. He was airlifted to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, where he underwent emergency surgery and remained in the intensive care unit. While Colin is stable, his injuries are profound. Because of the severity of his spinal cord injury, he is currently unable to breathe or move independently.

Colin has since been transferred to Craig Hospital in Denver, one of the world’s leading spinal cord rehabilitation hospitals, where he has begun the next stage of his recovery. Getting there, and remaining there for treatment, comes with an overwhelming financial burden. Colin required specialized medical air transport to safely make the journey, and his rehabilitation is expected to last at least three months. Amy and their parents have all temporarily relocated to Colorado to be by Colin’s side and take on caregiving roles throughout his recovery.

Your generosity will help ease the financial burden of emergency medical care, rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, accessible transportation, home modifications, lost income, and the lifelong care Colin will require. The financial impact of his injury is expected to be between $500,000 and $1 million.

Together, we can lift the financial burden so Colin and Amy can focus on what matters most: healing, recovery, and hope.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Colin and Amy during the most difficult chapter of their lives.