Christopher Barkley

January 19th, 2019.

“I’ll meet you at the lift.”

The last words I spoke out loud before my life forever changed in a split second. One second I’m skiing, laughing, and taking in the breathtaking views of Silver Mountain; the next I’m laying on my stomach, completely alone, and unable to move anything below my neck. In that moment I closed my eyes, said goodbye to my family in my head, and let the universe

What I thought was the end of my life was the beginning of another. 15 surgeries, 8 months of rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Denver, and a plethora of heartbreak for both myself and my family followed.

If you told the man laying on the mountain where he would be today he wouldn’t be able to fathom it. I’ve been able, and continue, to make more progress than I could ever imagine.

We have triumphed through the adversity.

That’s all because I have an amazing family, friends, and community of support from people like YOU!

I’ve partnered with the Help, Hope, Live Foundation to aid with raising funds on my behalf to help with the costs of continuing a healthy and fruitful life after my injury. Help, Hope, Live is a 501c3 non-profit that helps to distribute funds raised on my behalf as well as support other fundraising opportunities. All donations are tax-deductible.

The average first year cost of a spinal cord injury is $1,064.716.00, and each subsequent year is $184,891.00.

Your donations will be paid directly by Help, Hope, Live towards items like:

– My large outstanding medical debt from my time in ICU, acute care, and rehabilitation.
– The ongoing cost of my medical supplies (30-35 dollars a day).
– The cost of hiring aides to assist me throughout the day (100-150 dollars a day).
– Other ongoing medical costs not covered by insurance (therapy, transportation, prescriptions, etc.)

Not only will I be raising funds through my online portal, but also through a multitude of avenues in the future. By partnering with Help, Hope, Live we have created a way to continually fundraise year round!

This page will also include pictures, and updates from myself directly on my progress!

Living with a spinal cord injury may seem like a lonely life, but I beg to differ. My family, friends, and community of people like YOU have continually raised me up and give me the strength to keep going!

Please join my journey, team, and family today by either making a donation, following, or sharing this page. I’d love to have you by my side!