Sean Alazraki

On October 11th, our family’s world changed in an instant. We were in an accident where my husband, Sean, suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury resulting in a C5-6 incomplete spinal cord injury (ASIA C). In the first hours, we heard words no family ever wants to hear — “uncertain function,” “long rehabilitation ahead,” and “paralysis.” And yet from the very beginning, we also saw something else: Sean’s extraordinary resilience and focus on moving forward.

Sean was accepted into the Shepherd Center rehab program, where that resilience has taken shape in ways that continue to surprise even his care team. He has regained movement in his arms and wrists, new motor signal and movement in his legs, and the steady progress that suggests a meaningful pathway toward continued recovery. For example, in the first two weeks, Sean was driving his chair with a “sip and puff” mechanism driven by a straw, and now you should see him driving it with his hands and the joystick, zipping around and chatting it up with his fellow residents. You can learn more about his journey on his Caring Bridge page here (Please note, donations made on the Caring Bridge site DO NOT go to Sean. If you want to help us with our goal, please donate here at Help Hope Live).

The next phase of our journey starts on January 7th with his homecoming. His transition to home living will require significant resources to ensure he has the equipment, accessibility, and safety he needs to thrive. Families navigating spinal cord injuries quickly learn that the financial reality is staggering: adaptive equipment, home modifications, wheelchair-accessible transportation, ongoing therapy, and durable medical equipment often exceed $150,000 in the first year alone, even with insurance coverage.

We are fortunate to have an incredible community and family support system, but even with that, we will face substantial costs that fall outside insurance coverage. For this reason, we are raising an initial $65,000 through Help Hope Live to help us bridge the gap.

We chose Help Hope Live because it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which means donations are tax-deductible and managed with accountability. Funds go directly toward Sean’s medical and accessibility needs which was important for both transparency and long-term planning.

Your support will help make the following possible:

– A wheelchair-accessible vehicle so Sean can safely travel to therapy, medical appointments, and community outings

– Home modifications including home entry, bathroom/kitchen adjustments, accessible bathroom equipment, and transfer systems

– Durable medical equipment such as specialized mattresses, lifts, specialized cushions, and ongoing rehab tools

– Out-of-pocket therapy and caregiver support as Sean continues his recovery journey

Those who know Sean know he has spent his life showing up for others and building meaningful connections along the way. Accepting support doesn’t come naturally to him or us but we are learning that resilience isn’t just about grit; it’s also about accepting support so that we can focus our energy where it matters most: healing, rebuilding and choosing hope every day. 

To meet the immediate needs ahead, we are working toward a $65,000 fundraising goal. We are deeply grateful for any level of support—$10, $1,000, or something even more generous—as each gift brings us closer to a safe homecoming and thriving recovery for Sean.

Thank you for standing with us. 

Thank you for believing in Sean. 

Thank you for being part of the resilience that is carrying him forward.

*Sean’s Caring Bridge link. If you’re not a member already, please sign up and we will accept your request to join his page. 🙂