Donald Scantling

Donald “Jay” Scantling, is a 34 year old man who is also a husband and father of 3 beautiful daughters, was involved in a horrific 1 vehicle accident on September 27, 2023. The entire bottom front axel of his car completely fell off his car while driving, causing his car to flip 4 to 5 times and ejecting Jay from his vehicle through the driver side window. The accident resulted in a Segmented Spinal Cord and a traumatic brain injury. As of today, he is still in the hospital, with tracheotomy
and paraplegic. The doctor’s just recently took him off of the ventilator. With these kinds of injuries, it will definitely be a very long journey with numerous out-of-pocket costs. My husband has had 2 different back surgeries and has been unable to work for most of his life. Diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease that is hereditary, there were many days that he couldn’t function at all. Unfortunately, He has been denied disability for all of these years. While we were at UAMS in Little Rock, the nurse told me that he would automatically qualify for disability…..he was denied. The inability to work for most of his life, caused him to not qualify.

An avid outdoorsy kind of man, who enjoys and always seems to be out in the fresh air with our daughters, Jay enjoys being a great father and teaching our daughters how to do great things outside. One of those great things is Christian Street Ministry every Friday after he picks me up from work and the girls from school. He also likes teaching our daughters how to do some light landscaping, showing how to help and be there for others when they need help in whatever way that Jay feels he/we can help. As long as I have known my husband, he has been a very sunny dazzling bright light in the lives of everyone he has known.

Jay underwent an 8 hour spine surgery. Since his horrific accident, Jay has struggled with range of motion in his right arm. He can only move it up towards his head and back down. His can’t move his right hand, left arm, left hand and both of his legs and feet. He has to be turned every 2 hours and a nurse has to come in to sponge bathe Jay once a day.

Unfortunately, Jay’s health insurance is basic and the cost of care is enormous. An expected long-term needs include wheelchairs, wheelchair van for transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, modifications to our bathroom and other parts of our home. Health plans do not cover these items. Home modifications can cost anywhere between $5,000 – $380,000. A handicap accessible vehicle can cost anywhere from $35,000 – $56,000. Time is very much of the essence that we are talking about here……and this is the reason that Jay is fundraising for. The Reeve Foundation has listed $184,891 for the first year costs and 2.5 million for a lifetime costs for a 50 year old, 4.7 million for a 20 year old.

We have been a one income family due to Jay’s prior disability. I work at the Waldron Elementary School Cafeteria here in Waldron AR. With one income, we could only afford one vehicle. We have always been active in various School activities and sports and I teach Children’s Church and Jay and I and our 3 daughters have a street ministry here in our small town. Sadly, The one vehicle that we had is the one that was totaled. We are looking to place him in a rehabilitation facility soon. That will mean that he should be home soon.

We are in desperate need of home modifications and a handicap accessible vehicle. It is my sincere hope that you will be able to assist us in any or all of these things. Together we can do so much to improve Jays’ prognosis and he is very much motivated to begin his long rehabilitation journey. Your financial support will not go unnoticed. We are very much grateful for your assistance and kindly ask that you share this with your key contacts or social networks and religious organizations.
Help Hope Live is a 501 non-profit charitable organization. They distribute all funds to providers directly. Contributions have no personal gain to others than to Jays’ direct needs. HelpHopeLive.org distributes payments as a third party. Based on your financial profile, the funding as a charitable deduction can allow IRS deductions. Your tax professional should be contacted for advice for your unique situation.

Thank you for your time and consideration in these matters.
Laurie Scantling
479-207-2539

Norma Scantling
479-227-9109

Family and friends of Donald Scantling are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Injury.

Donald has chosen 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.

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

Thank you for your support!