James Schwank

Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

Our 22 year old son, James, was in a car accident December 21, 2014. He suffered a devastating C6 spinal cord injury. He is now quadriplegic, paralyzed from his chest down with limited use of his arms and hands.

Prior to his accident, James took a year off college to work full time to save money for school. He planned to return to Southern Illinois University Carbondale in January. James loves to fish, hunt, and camp, is an Eagle Scout, played Rugby at SIUC, and wrestled at Alton High, Missouri Military Academy, and Lindenwood U.

James is now at QLI in Omaha, NE for intense rehabilitation. QLI teaches people with catastrophic injuries to live again, not just to exist. James has met his challenge with unbelievable strength, courage, and determination. He is an inspiration to us all. Once he leaves QLI, he will still have a long road ahead of him.

The expenses of a spinal cord injury are astronomical. Even with insurance, there are many costs that are not covered. Some of these are home modifications, a handicap accessible vehicle, adaptive equipment, additional rehabilitative therapy, home health care, and much more.

To help with the financial burden of James’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the North-Central Catastrophic Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for injury-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution. Click on the Donate Now button on this page to make a donation.

James is injured, but his spirit, dreams, and potential are alive and well. Your thoughts, prayers, and kindness have meant more than words can express. We appreciate all you have done and continue to do, and we thank you for your generosity.

Rick and Shellan Schwank
618-467-7090
[email protected]