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Support Jeffrey's New Future

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On the evening of January 14th, my uncle Jeffrey Whitaker, was on his way to work as an RN at the Fresno Heart Center when he was broadsided by a driver in a Ford F-150 who failed to navigate a 90-degree intersection. The driver of the other vehicle was able to flee the scene before police arrived and the accident is being investigated as a hit and run incident. Nearly two months later, the police report still has not been released and they have not shared the name of the driver responsible for this irresponsible and reckless accident with us.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey spent almost seven weeks in ICU at Community Regional Medical Center fighting for his life. He suffered several broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a serious diaphragm injury and significant internal bleeding that resulted in multiple surgeries being required as part of their efforts to keep him alive. Several days later, we learned that the accident has also left him paraplegic and with limited use of his left arm and hand. During another surgical event, he had his spleen removed, leaving his immune system compromised to fight off serious infections like the pneumonia he contracted and fought so desperately against for over five weeks before overcoming it. For nearly six weeks, he remained intubated because his lungs and diaphragm were not strong enough to breathe on his own.

Through this tragic accident, Jeffrey has been an inspiration to his family and friends with his fight and determination to not only survive but to get back to living life. On February 17th, he was extubated and able to breathe on his own for the first time in weeks, although he currently has his tracheostomy tube in place as a precautionary measure. On March 4th, he was admitted to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center to begin his rehabilitation treatment in preparation for his new journey in life. His doctors still cannot tell us what his maximum medical improvement potential could be as he is just starting his rehab efforts, but we do know that his future will consist of living his life constrained to a wheelchair. His career as an RN is also most likely over.

Just as he has shown the determination to build himself back up to live life to the fullest, we as a family are and will continue to be his biggest cheerleaders and supporters. To that end, we are starting this GoFundMe campaign on his behalf to help prepare him for his new life. Our plan is to use the funds raised to remodel his house and make it wheelchair accessible so that he can enjoy some semblance of a normal life again at home. We also want to modify his vehicle so that he can again experience the freedom and independence that having a vehicle offers. Any remaining proceeds will be used to help subsidize the costs of having an in-home nurse to care for him as he continues his recovery process so that he can do this in the comfort of his own home. A summary of expected costs is as follows:

• Remodel bathroom: $10k
• Remodel kitchen: $10k
• Widen doorways for wheelchair access: ≈$8-10k
• Install ramp and handrails: $5k
• Install hand control for vehicle: $5k
• Power Wheel chair: $3k - 10k
• In-home nurse: ≈$5-8k/mo

With Jeffrey’s blessing, he allowed us to use the GoFundMe platform to share his tragic yet inspirational story of overcoming adversity. On behalf of Jeffrey, we thank you sincerely and in advance for your prayers and any support you are able to offer to help get him back to living life the only way Jeffrey knows how!
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Donations 

  • Renea Townsend
    • $100
    • 4 mos
  • Erin Berberian Gleason
    • $750
    • 4 mos
  • Kiki Shepard
    • $250
    • 1 yr
  • Andre Dawson
    • $250
    • 1 yr
  • Janette Casse
    • $50
    • 2 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Hiroki Hiura
Organizer
Lemoore, CA
Jeffrey Whitaker
Beneficiary

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