Andy Kaufman

Help Andy Get Up From His Wheelchair

Andy, a lifelong gymnast and athlete who performed with the Jesse White Tumblers and the Chicago Bulls Acrobatic Dunk Team, broke his neck in a freak mid-air tumbling collision on June 6. Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t pick up all costs, which can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars in just the first year. This is why we are asking for your help.

Andy was initially completely paralyzed below his neck, but because his spinal cord did not suffer a complete break, there is hope for progress as he recovers from the shock to the spinal cord. After surgery to reconstruct his C5 vertebra, Andy entered an intensive rehabilitation program at the world-renowned Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). He has already regained significant movement of his arms and enough hand control to feed himself, operate his power wheelchair and iPhone, and perform other activities of daily living.

With incredible support from a large network of friends, family, and the phenomenal folks at RIC, Andy is managing to keep his spirits up. He is working very hard each day to develop his upper body strength and his leg functions, so he can get back to his job teaching gymnastics with the Chicago Park District. Andy’s personality and humor remain intact.

We know that the determination, discipline and drive that made him a successful athlete, along with access to the most up-to-date modern medical advances in spinal cord treatments, will enable him to reach his goals.

Andy’s insurance has covered much, but not all, of his hospitalization and rehabilitation program to date. However, once he’s sent home to continue the long process of rehabilitation as an outpatient, insurance will not pay for all the therapy, personal care assistance, and equipment he will need.

We have chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive in part because HelpHOPELive assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.

For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Sincerely,
Andy’s Family