Tyler Funk

Tyler Needs Your Help

On May 3, 2019 Tyler was snowboarding at Arapahoe Basin with friends when he caught an edge and “scorpioned” over his snowboard, landing directly on his neck. Tyler says he knew instantly that something wasn’t right.

Friends responded quickly, and within minutes Ski Patrol was there to board Tyler onto the Flight for Life, where they airlifted him to St. Anthony’s Hospital. Upon arrival, his ER doctors evaluated him and determined that he broke his C5 vertebrae, damaging his spinal cord in the process. Tyler underwent two surgeries to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord and allow for optimal healing. When he awoke on May 5th, he was completely paralyzed with the exception of some minor movement in his right arm.

He spent 14 days at St. Anthony’s in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit, fighting off recurrent fevers, low blood pressure, tube feeds, and a plethora of other post-operative concerns. When he discharged from the ICU, he was sent to Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado for inpatient rehabilitation, where he is currently receiving the best care in the nation.

His days consist of intensive Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Recreational Therapy, and Functional Skills Training. During his short time at Craig, he has regained wrist flexion and extension in his right arm, motor in his left arm, fine motor skills in his right hand, full range of motion in his upper extremities, core strength, and on June 12th, he moved his big toe for the first time.

Tyler’s attitude remains positive and he is incredible motivated to get back on his feet. His doctors, therapists, and friends he has made at Craig are continuously impressed by his progress and spirits, and are confident that he will recover well.

When Tyler arrived at Craig Hospital, his Physicians evaluated his injury and determined that he was a C5 ASIA B incomplete quadriplegic. Since his time at Craig, he has progressed to an ASIA C. This evaluation means that he has all sensation, and that some motor function is preserved below his injury level. 78% of ASIA C’s ambulate within 18-24 months of their injury. However, medical assistance will be needed for the rest of his life. The average cost of medical expenses for the first year of injury is $816,019, and $120,303 for each year thereafter.

We hope to use Help Hope Live to raise funds to offset the cost of Tyler’s past, current, and ongoing medical expenses. We ask that you please consider donating to help his family during this difficult time.

Tyler has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility to the full extent allowed by law 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 or contact Sarah, Tyler’s wife, at [email protected]

Thank you so much for all of your support. We truly could not do any of this without your generosity.