Emily Progin, PR & Social Media Coordinator
eprogin@helphopelive.org / 800.642.8399
Release: Immediate
PLAINVIEW FAMILY GETS SURPRISE HOME RENOVATION TO HELP PARALYZED SON
George to the Rescue Brings Independence to Alex Goldmeier After Spinal Cord Injury
PLAINVIEW, N.Y.—In the midst of one of the most painful and chaotic seasons of their lives, the Goldmeier family of Plainview have received a priceless gift: a surprise home renovation from George to the Rescue that will allow Alex, who sustained a spinal cord injury in a skiing accident, to return home after months of recovery.
The joyful and athletic 23-year-old became paralyzed from the chest down in February 2018 while enjoying one of his favorite hobbies: skiing. He began a grueling course of rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Colorado. When he had completed months of intensive physical therapy, Alex found himself facing a new obstacle. He would not be able to return to his Plainview home until the house could be made wheelchair-accessible—renovations that are typically not covered by insurance after a spinal cord injury.
That’s when Alex and his family got an incredible surprise from George to the Rescue in an episode of the renovation show that is now on YouTube: along with help from local contractors, George Oliphant would be completely renovating the Goldmeiers’ Plainview home. The incredible renovations included turning their garage into an accessible apartment for Alex with a bathroom, Bluetooth-connected lights and features, a desk and closet that can be raised and lowered to accommodate Alex’s chair, and an accessible independent entrance, plus a fully-renovated bathroom that wowed Alex and his family
A preschool education coach prior to his injury, Alex’s dream is to become a clinic psychologist for children and young adults. His hopes for the future include regaining an active lifestyle by learning to participate in adaptive sports—including adaptive skiing with George, who loves to ski.
Alex still faces a lifetime of massive out-of-pocket injury-related expenses, many of which are not covered by insurance, such as physical therapy sessions that could restore some of his dexterity and mobility. To help, donations can be made to the national nonprofit Help Hope Live in honor of Alex Goldmeier at helphopelive.org or by calling 800.642.8399. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and all donations will offset medical expenses via Help Hope Live’s New York Catastrophic Injury Fund. More info: call 800.642.8399.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in 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 $131 million to pay patient expenses.
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Written by Emily Progin
