David Sward

On Sunday, February 8, our lives changed in an instant.

David experienced a traumatic and catastrophic accident that fractured his cervical spine at the C6/C7 junction. In a moment, he lost the use of his legs and began the fight of his life. He is now learning what it means to live with a severe spinal cord injury — something no family is ever truly prepared for.

But David is so much more than this injury.

He is a devoted husband and dad, the steady presence in our family, the one who shows up early and stays late. He’s the problem-solver, the encourager, the one who makes people feel safe. He loves time with his kids, tackling projects, and being the person others can rely on. His strength, humor, and determination are still very much intact — even as everything around him has changed.

Right now, David is working tirelessly starting to heal and getting launched into rehabilitation, adjusting to life with paralysis. Everyday activities that most of us never think about — getting out of bed, showering, entering and exiting a home — now require equipment, planning, and assistance. Our current home, like most homes, simply was not built for a wheelchair.

We are facing enormous changes as we prepare to welcome David home safely.

To make that possible, we must transform our house into an accessible space. This includes:

A wheelchair-accessible entrance

Widened doorways and hallways

A fully accessible bathroom with roll-in shower

Modifications to the kitchen and living spaces

Specialized medical and mobility equipment

Ongoing rehabilitation and long-term care needs

The financial impact of a spinal cord injury is staggering. According to national data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the lifetime costs associated with a high cervical spinal cord injury can reach into the millions of dollars, depending on the level of injury and age at the time of injury. Even the first year alone often brings overwhelming medical and equipment expenses.

Insurance covers some things — but not everything. Home renovations, adaptive vehicles, specialized equipment upgrades, and many long-term needs will require significant out-of-pocket funding. The total cost of making our home accessible and preparing for David’s long-term care could approach or exceed $1 million.

Our goal is simple: bring David home to a space where he can live safely, regain independence, and remain at the center of our family life. David has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

This fundraising effort will allow us to:

Create a safe and accessible home environment

Purchase necessary mobility and medical equipment

Support continued rehabilitation and therapy

Preserve stability for our children during this transition

David is still David — strong, determined, and deeply committed to his family. With the right support and environment, he can continue to be present for milestones, school events, ordinary dinners, and all the moments that matter most.

If you feel moved to help, please consider donating and sharing this campaign. Every contribution — no matter the size — helps us take one step closer to bringing David home safely and building a new version of normal for our family.

Thank you for standing with us during this life-changing season. Your support, prayers, and generosity mean more than we can put into words.