Donate to Christopher's Healing and Future

Donate to Support Christopher: Autism Rendered Him Defenseless Against the Bullying and Gun Violence That Left Him A Paraplegic

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On the afternoon of April 10, 2024, a 33-year-old, mostly non-verbal man with autism, Christopher, was sitting on his mother’s front porch in West Baltimore when someone came around the corner taunting him. When he tried to defend himself, the bully returned with a gun and shot him. One bullet whizzed past his face. The other hit his back, leaving him a paraplegic. Just like that, Christopher became an innocent victim of a senseless crime.

Christopher has severe autism, is virtually non-verbal with the mind of an 8-year-old. Now, as a paraplegic, his journey to recovery is daunting. As you might imagine, his medical, physical and mental needs are overwhelming.

“His smile brightens up a room and he gives you that loving feeling,” says his sister, Shannon, who is now his primary caregiver. “He didn’t have an easy life growing up, and I want to give him the support he deserves.” Since moving Christopher into her home, so she can ensure proper care and attention for him, Shannon has enrolled in and completed caregiver classes and even helped educate her children who have asked to help their Uncle Chris, on ways they too can provide care for him.

A mother of three young kids, Shannon cannot work at this time due to the extensive amount of care her brother requires. His mother has chronic kidney disease and is no longer able to support him. Shannon’s and Christopher’s father was shot and killed in 2016. While another sibling checks in on him, no other family members are able or willing to help.

Christopher is recovering slowly, but it will be a long and costly process, and one that is taking its toll on him physically and emotionally. He is currently seeing a home nurse and a physical therapist, each two times a week. He has been admitted to the hospital on several occasions with complications from his injuries and healing process and will undergo surgery on August 2nd. Additionally, Christopher suffers from recurring nightmares related to the shooting.

Shannon is very protective of her brother and wants to get him the best care possible, motivating him to possibly walk again in the future. Her current home is not accessible for a paraplegic, so Shannon is looking to move to a new house with a ramp and wider spaces that will be more suitable for Christopher and her family.

Through all of this, Christopher continues to smile his big smile, bringing happiness to those around him, those that are supporting him at home as well as those providing the professional care he needs to recover and learn how to live life as a paraplegic.

What will your donation support? Your contribution – no matter the size - will help fund expenses big and small related to Christopher’s care and recovery. Our initial goal is to raise enough money to fund immediate needs such as medical supplies, daily living necessities, toiletries, clothing and a wheelchair ramp. Our long-term goal is to support Shannon as she secures new, handicap accessible housing for Christopher and her family and cover Christopher’s ongoing, extensive expenses related to his care and recovery.

“Christopher didn’t deserve what has happened to him,” says Shannon. “And I am on a mission to see that he leads a comfortable and fulfilling life despite this tragedy.”

Your generosity and support will mean the world to Christopher and his family. Thank you for helping in this crucial time. And don't forget to SHARE THIS FUNDRAISER with others.