Emily Progin, Content Manager
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COMMUNITY HELPING LOCAL MAN WITH PARALYSIS ACHIEVE HIS BIGGEST DREAM: DRIVING AGAIN
HOUSTON, Texas—The Clear Lake community is rallying to bring a big dream within reach for Gary Bolton, a Friendswood man who has been living with paralysis since a 2009 car accident. Gary is in his final push for independence thanks to a fundraising campaign with the nonprofit Help Hope Live. He is just $44,000 away from his life-changing fundraising goal for a modified vehicle—and up to $15,000 in donations will be matched by a generous community partner.
Gary’s life changed forever in 2009 when he was the backseat passenger in a devastating car accident that left him with a paralyzing C4-C5 spinal cord injury. The Clear Lake High School grad lost all movement in his legs and most of the movement in his arms. At just 23 years old, Gary had to start a new life with paralysis and reset his goals for the future.
Despite these challenges, Gary has committed himself to hope and progress. He pursues intensive rehabilitation, striving to achieve as much independence and mobility as possible. He spends his downtime advocating for himself and other spinal cord injury survivors. In the future, Gary hopes to be an even bigger source of support to the local community as an advocate and volunteer.
Gary has had to rely on a 20-year-old accessible van to get around and access his community. But more than a decade after the life-changing accident that left him a quadriplegic, Gary has finally gotten his driver’s license back and trained in adaptive driving. He can operate an adaptive vehicle on his own to unlock greater independence than ever—but there’s a catch.
“I wish health insurance would cover this cost, but it doesn’t,” Gary explained. “I am fundraising for an accessible van I can drive with my hands from my power wheelchair. It will cost over $50,000.”
Gary has been fundraising with the trusted national nonprofit Help Hope Live since 2011, and his community has generously raised over $4,600 towards his first fundraising goal of $50,000 for an adaptive vehicle he can drive.
Donations will go further than ever right now as a generous community partner has offered to match up to $15,000.
The fundraising campaign has made a meaningful impact in his life over the past 13 years. Now, it can be the difference between surviving and thriving as Gary goes after his biggest and most life-changing goal yet.
Tax-deductible donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/354/
“My goal for 2025 is to regain my independence and embrace my mobility,” he explained. “It took me 15 years to get this far, and I am so thankful for how this community has lifted me up and provided for me so far. I know this goal is possible thanks to their generosity and hope. I continue to be patient and live in the moment with good faith. I am so blessed and grateful for all the community support for my cause so far.”
Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be administered by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $188 million to pay patient expenses. ###
