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I'm 34 years old, I have a wife and three kids, ages 12, 5 and 4. I was the sole provider for my family.
I had a decent job; I was a very dedicated and hard worker. I loved riding my bike, going fishing, hunting and fixing things
around the house. I enjoyed working with my hands. I always wanted the best for my family as everyone does, but on the day
of October 12, 2003 my dreams for my family and I were cut short. That day while riding Eastbound on I-94 I suffered a tragic
accident. I am hypoglycemic which means my body loses sugar too fast. It is the opposite of being a diabetic, it causes blackouts
and fatigue.
I was riding my motorcycle that sunny day on my way to visit my mother. The last thing that I remember was
going around a curve on the highway. I can't recall the impact of the accident...can recall coming to and two paramedics standing
over me and telling me not to move. I had just hit the wall on my bike, I wasn't going fast. All I could remember after that
was telling them to call my family. I thought I wasn't going to make it. I was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital because
it is known for putting people back together no matter the tragedy. They have one of the best trauma units. Once there I had
to undergo two very important surgeries.
One was to stabilize my spinal cord because I had sustained extensive damage. I also sustained a broken
neck and now have metal plates in the front and back of my neck. The injury to my spinal cord was so severe that it left me
paralyzed from the chest down. Another word for a person in my condition is called a quadriplegic. A quadriplegic is a person
that has lost all of their mobility in all four quadrants, they have no normal ability below the line of injury. In fact,
their sensation level is diminished as well. I would love to feel my kids again, they are growing up very fast. I to be able
to hug them, and I miss holding them on my lap and carrying them in my arms. I miss taking them for long drives in the car.
My daughter is my little muffin, she I s warm and loving most definitely a daddy's girl. My baby boy is so full of life and
loves sports, I want to be the once to teach him how to play sports. He is just like me love's to fix on things and work with
his hands. My oldest son loves remote control cars just like me, he enjoys using his imagination to create things.
The second surgery was to place a filter inside of me so that it could prevent blood clots from traveling
to my heart which could kill me. Because I can't move around on my own I'm at great risk for blood clots to develop. I require
24hr care and it is very expensive. The motorcycle insurance for the bike doesn't cover me for bodily injuries. I have used
up all of my savings as well as family and friends support financially, and I'm in need of a lot of funds. The funds will
be used for me to have a surgery to help regain some if not all of my mobility back through the use of Stem cells. The procedure
is not done here in the United States, I must be flown over seas. It is very expensive, but well worth it because I have a
great chance at regaining my life back. The Stem cells they will be using will come from my own body. Then will remove scar
tissue from around the area of the injury and replace it with some of my own regenerating cells from by nose cavity. This
will begin the process of regenerating my nerves and will cause mobility to return. How much mobility we can not be sure,
but if I can at least function my own bowels and feed myself that will be blessing enough.
The cost for the procedure is $50, 000 and is not covered by my insurance company because even though it
has had very successful results and benefits, it is still considered experimental. So whatever you can donate to help me with
this cause will be greatly appreciated by my family and myself.
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How To Help!!!!!!!!
To make donations, please send them to:
Dearborn Federal Credit Union,
P.O. Box 6048,
Dearborn, MI 48121
C/O Phillip Smith Spinal
Cord Recovery Fund.
Please Help Phil. Thank You In Advance!
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