Help Forrest Gardner climb back to health

Forrest Gardner, visionary rock climber, expert machinist, renowned raconteur, notorious wit and devoted husband and father, was rushed to Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga for emergency surgery on Friday (11/04) to repair an acute bowel rupture. Weighing a skeletal 120 pounds, Forrest is currently recovering in the ICU and awaiting a surgical biopsy. Colon cancer is strongly suspected.

Few who know of Forrest's hair-raising exploits as a cutting-edge wall climber would ever suspect that he is a fully committed family man. As such, he remains ever close to his daughter, Katie, and son, Christian, and recently married his high school sweetheart after a 40 hiatus in their connection. He and his wife, Juel Wells Gardner formerly of Aberdeen, WA, first met at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, GA, in 1976. They reconnected Christmas Eve of 2018. In August 2021, the reunited couple married at Grays Harbor, WA and now make their home in Ringgold, GA.

As an independent contractor at Walter A. Wood Co., Forrest never missed a day's work in the months and weeks leading up to his hospitalization. This grit is true to form; Forrest's work ethic has always been exemplary, but now--without health insurance--he faces ruinous bills and medical expenses. The situation is especially dire as Forrest is the family's sole breadwinner.

So, a strong, independent man who would otherwise never ask for financial help needs your help.

Your donation, in any amount, will help cover the family's immediate expenses as Forrest and Juel navigate the challenging months ahead.