Spencer Sherwin

Help Spencer Fight on Towards Victory!

Concerned and caring friends encouraged us to ask for help with Spencer’s overwhelming medical costs. Up until now, we had been extremely hesitant to do so. Wanting donors to get tax credit for helping us, we found Help Hope Live charity. Donations to this nonprofit, are tax deductible, unlike other more commonly known platforms. Spencer’s life was miraculously spared after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a car accident, June 24, 2020. He and two friends were on a road trip to Seattle, but the journey came to an end in Fresno. Miracles occured that day and all 3 survived. We believe God spared their lives in order for His glory to be revealed. Spencer sustained multiple fractures, both shoulders were broken, sternal fracture, fractures of almost all of the bones in his face, and 5 vertebral fracutres, his liver was lacerated and hands were both burned, severely. Most debilitating, were the 5 vertebral fractures that devastatingly damaged his spinal cord. Those fractures caused a complete spinal cord injury at the T3 level. Spencer’s life has been drastically changed, he has many challenges ahead, but he faces them all with determination and positivity. The struggles have been enormous for him and made exponentially difficult during a pandemic with all its limitations and complications.

Our son is known for his lively sense of humor, which he has used to entertain friends and family all his life. He has been active in cross country running, snowboarding, skateboarding, playing his cello in orchestras and praise bands. Spencer grew up in a family that is active in church and he has participated in many mission trips to far off lands. He is looking forward to finishing his college degree in Film and Television, and finding a career that allows him to follow his creative passions. Never wasting time dwelling on the past, Spencer fights valiantly each day, and so many say his positivity is inspiring.

He spent 8 days in an ICU in Fresno making it through a 7 hour spinal fixation surgery and then, was transferred closer to home, spending 5 weeks in the hospital, healing. We are so grateful that both those hospitalizations, his surgery and those two high level transportations were covered by our medical insurance. He had wonderful care and after 6 hospitalized weeks, his shoulder bones were finally cleared so he could begin weight bearing, the most important skill needed for rehabilitation. This would now allow him to be more active in transferring himself, and so he was ready to begin aggressive rehabilitation therapy. Sensing the urgency to get him immediate continuation of therapy, we got to work searching for specialty spinal cord injury treatment center. Our goal, as his parents, was to give Spencer the best opportunity for an active, strong, healthy, fulfilling future. There are very few “model system” specialty spinal cord injury centers in the U.S. We believe God led us to Craig Hospital in Denver. Insurance was unable to help with the cost for this specialty spinal cord rehab center, so we had to urgently come up with the cash cost of $200,000 in less than a week. Add to that amount, air ambulance to Denver, ADA home remodeling, specialty vehicle modifications, custom wheelchair, specialist MD consults, special treatments, durable medical equipment, and lifelong required medications (raising our out of pocket costs to almost another whole $200,000), it is easy to see that the costs of Spencer’s care have become extreme. We have done all humanly possible to provide for his best care, but it is evident that the monumental costs require us to ask for help from our family, friends and community.

Spencer has been so blessed by the many cards, texts, calls, books, gifts, notes and cookies sent to cheer him on his journey. He has gained lifelong skills and strengths here in Denver, at Craig hospital, we are so glad he was accepted to their rehab progam. Many, many have asked how they can help and have encouraged us to find ways to raise needed funds. Donating to this charity, in Spencer’s name, provides help for his medical expenses and, Help Hope Live donations are tax deductible. It is very important to us, that donors receive tax credit, in response to their generosity.

We are so grateful to all of you, who over the years, have so richly woven yourselves into the fabric of our family. We are blessed by every one of you.

Thank you for helping Spencer fight on to victory!

To make a tax-deductible donation to Spencer’s fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

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

Thank you for your support!