Anthony Urjil

HELP RICK WALK AGAIN!

What started as a joyous family occasion ironically ended up being the biggest challenge of my life. Family and friends had gathered from long distances to attend a momentous 50th birthday celebration for my niece, who had defied all the odds of a life-threatening illness, while wheelchair-bound with cerebral palsy.

After a beautiful celebration and a day of fun activities with the grandkids, my wife, daughter, and grandkids headed for the long drive home the next day.

The next thing that I knew, I woke up, hanging upside down and listening to the frantic sounds of my grandkids crying as people were trying to get us freed from our wrecked car. My first thought was for my family. I prayed that my wife, daughter and grandkids were safe. After someone said that I might have a spinal injury, I was airlifted into a helicopter.

I found out later that the grandkids were basically untouched, my daughter had some cuts, and my wife suffered a broken pelvis, ribs and arm which she now has almost fully recovered from. I was told that I had passed out for some unknown reason. The car had swerved side-by-side and flipped the median three times. It was a miracle that my family wasn’t hurt worse.

After emergency spinal fusion surgery, I was later transported to Frazier Neuro- Rehabilitation Hospital for 5 weeks. I am now at a nursing -rehab facility, anticipating a soon-release to a home that will accommodate my wheelchair and more importantly, to be near Frazier Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. This is so that I can resume the rigorous targeted therapy that gives me the best chance of regaining my abilities.

In the not-too-distant future I’ll be going home to a new home. We had to sell our existing home because it wasn’t suitable for wheelchair use. Once home I’ll need daily nursing care but plan to do outpatient therapy at Frazier.

My goal is to be standing, playing golf, and running with the grandkids. I know these are lofty goals, but I will give it everything I can.

So far, I’ve learned to feed myself, use a stylus to type, started to move my legs and am working on regaining strength. It’s pretty humbling to be lifting 2-pound weights but it’s great progress from where I started.

I’m bound and determined to keep making more and more incremental steps.

Donations will allow me to get home healthcare, transport, and accommodations so that I can access the critical targeted and timely rehabilitation that Frazier provides. I have insurance but it does not cover all the medical expenses associated with a spinal cord injury. I need intensive physical therapy and more.

My family and friends are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live in my honor, to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Injury.

I chose to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button. And please share my campaign page n your social media platform. Every little bit helps!

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!