Help the Lapale family heal! #LAPALESTRONG

This Superman is in need of help!
Paea Lapale not only looks like Superman, his whole life he has seemed invincible,
overcoming all odds and obstacles placed in his path. From scaling coconut trees to
harvest their fruit and killing a shark with a spear as a teenager to playing college
football, obtaining his body building pro card to working a full-time job and running a
concrete company on the side to provide for his wife and 10 children, this hard working
Hawaiian native has lived an adventurous and fulfilling life. Paea lost his father as a
young boy and his mother at the age of 14 . During his simple, humble childhood days
on the island of Tonga his mother taught him to be resourceful. Of necessity he learned
to provide for himself, he has developed many talents and has always found a way to
make things work. He is the kind of man who drops everything to help a friend or family
member in need. His cheerful disposition, generous giving heart and loyal friendship
has blessed the lives of countless others.
With only a few children left at home and a growing posterity - nearly a dozen amazing
little kiddos love & look up to their papa – he and his wife Laura have been planning and
dreaming about what their future would look like. Their life path however was forever
changed in a way they could have never anticipated.
Paea was involved in a serious car accident in the early morning hours of November
2, 2021.
On his way home from work, he hit a slippery spot and his truck began to spin,
it then flipped head over feet and came to a stop leaving him stuck upside down. He
couldn't breathe. When a passer-by stopped to offer help, Paea asked him to unbuckle
his seat belt for him. When the seat belt released he fell. At that moment, Paea knew he
was in trouble. He was unable to move his arms and legs. He broke his neck in two
places and suffered a pinched spinal cord. He underwent surgery on his neck to repair
the damage and was in the ICU for about a week. He is currently a quadriplegic with no
feeling in his arms from the biceps down and nothing below his chest. He is in a
rehabilitation hospital undergoing intensive physical and other types of therapy to
prepare him to return home and navigate his new life. Laura has been a constant pillar
of strength by his side, tending to his every need 24/7: feeding him, massaging his arms
and legs, keeping his limbs moving, and providing services to help him in ways most of
us take for granted. She is also in therapy and classes learning about what their life will
now look like and practicing hands on the things she will need to do to take care of him
at home.
Paea’s therapists, doctors, family and friends are hopeful and praying he may regain his
mobility. The future is uncertain, and the road to recovery is long. But we know if
anyone has the mental fortitude and physical strength to overcome this, God willing, this
Superman will. He is scheduled to be released from the hospital on January 3rd. His
family and friends are working together to modify his home to be wheelchair accessible
and obtain the necessary equipment and means of transportation to support this new
way of life when he returns home.
With the loss of ability to earn income and provide for the family’s daily needs, to
mounting medical bills, to home renovation and a wheelchair accessible vehicle
​purchase, the financial burdens seem overwhelming. Many dear people have
generously contributed to help already, but more is needed. We are hoping to raise
money for the family to use on these expenses and whatever is needed for their future.
Any amount makes a difference and is much appreciated!
Please know Paea and Laura are so very grateful for all the love, prayers, support and
many kindnesses that have been shown to them. It makes such a big difference to know
they are not alone and keeps them going through this very difficult time.