Tim Allen

I grew up in the small country town of Newnan, Georgia. Now considered a city, a suburb of Atlanta, and home base for AMC’s “The Walking Dead” my childhood town is forever changed. But that was long ago and Florida has been home longer than my growing up years in a small Georgia town. Cathy, my wife and partner of nearly two decades, and I are proud residents of Land O Lakes since 2002. We’ve always enjoyed socializing, meeting new people, and travel both local and abroad.

One September day in 2010 however, changed my life forever. Away on vacation and diving into a pool, I suffered a spinal cord injury, leaving me a quadriplegic with no use of my legs and limited use of arms and hands. Since that tragic September day I have learned much about life from where I sit. While much thought and careful planning goes into the most modest of tasks, I’ve learned to embrace and conquer each challenge I encounter. While I face daily struggles, the support of family and friends helps me push harder to achieve my goal of full recovery and returning to a full life.

To achieve these goals I plan on attending Central Florida based Recovery Oriented Rehabilitation Therapies. These high intensity activity-based programs focus on using specific exercises that are related in restoring functional mobility through biomechanically sound practices. These movements attempt to re-establish patterned neural activity within the central nervous system and create new connections below my injury level. The cost of this therapy is $100/ hour and sessions typically run three hours a day — three days a week. While this rehab therapy holds much promise, the cost is not covered by insurance.

To assist with the costs of therapy and home training devices, a fundraising in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for more than 30 years. In 2000, they expanded their mission to include those who have sustained a catastrophic injury. All contributions are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for injury-related expenses only. Please consider making a contribution today by clicking the DONATE NOW button.

Sincerely,

Tim Allen
[email protected]
(c) 813-546-7723