Let's help Dave Cummings get a new leg and life!

Update November 18, 2021
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I want to share how thankful I am to support Wendie and Dave and how incredible everyone has been to them.  I know words cannot express how much they appreciate all of you but as you gather with family and think about what you are thankful for, know Wendie and Dave will be thinking of all of you.  

So here is the update.....Dave got back to St. Louis on October 8th and starting ramping up activity (hard to believe it was subdued) but then he had another skin issue.  Dave had to keep off his leg for 4 days but then could slowly build back up.  He is still wearing the borrowed knee (prosthetic) and has started working on a new prosthetist after insurance denied coverage.  Dave demoed a new prosthetic called the Freedom Quattro after being denied the X3 and seems to like it. So fingers crossed this one is covered and works.  As I update you, Dave is speaking at the Stepping Strong Trauma and Research and Innovation Symposium   and it doesn't surprise me that Dave is all in on recovery and trying give back along the way.  When I asked Dave about the insurance and could we raise enough money - he let me know the prosthetic is $120,000 so understandably he is looking at all his options.  I would like to close out the year and raise some more funds for them- so please share his story- it is a long road to recovery.  Thank you everyone- Happy Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for all of you.  




Update September 17, 2021
I love this video of Dave- not wanting to short change one single, solitary rep.  Thank you for all of the support for Dave and Wendie and I excited to share the progress Dave has made.  As most of you know, no one will work harder than Dave to make this successful.  In this video you seem with him "main leg" that he will use for everyday use- walking, working, yard work, etc.  He will need a different leg to cycle because it doesn't fit the same way.  We have raised an incredible $45,421 almost half of our goal.  This will help enormously with all the costs associated with the prosthetics that will give Dave his life back.  If all goes well, Dave will go home to St. Louis (still in Boston where he had the procedure) on October 8th.  Please share, send words of encouragement to Wendie and Dave and keep being awesome humans- thank you.  

UPDATE on May 23, 2021 by Jill Indovino, Organizer
Wendie and Dave are completely humbled by the financial support they have received from all of you. They have exciting news! As I typed the words “exciting,", I felt sad and unsettled because Dave will lose his leg, but his remarkable optimism and determination make me feel this way. I reached out to Dave after watching this Ted Talk and I thought - wow - if Dave could only meet this guy (Hugh Herr). This Ted Talk is beyond inspiring and Dave DID speak with this guy! He has been accepted in the clinical trial! All of you are making this possible for Dave and Wendie. The fact that Dave is a part of this trial will eventually change the world forever for people with above the knee amputations. In the video, Hugh Herr states, "people are not broken."  Dave is not broken, and he will come back bionic – truly – because of you.

His amputation is scheduled for July 7th in Boston.

The bionic above the knee prosthetic  won't be available for several years as Dave is helping test it out as they develop it. Dave will still need financial help with medical expenses, especially the customized prosthetic as the insurance only covers the bare minimum. We still have a way to go to help them with all the costs so please continue to share this GoFundMe.

Here is the inspirational Ted Talk:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDsNZJTWw0w 

Thank you again everyone.  --Jill

Read below for how Dave originally injured his leg:

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On July 3, 2019, my good friends Dave and Wendie had just visited us on their annual vacation to Colorado to bike, run, and be merry. After riding bikes, Dave suffered a catastrophic injury after a fall attempting a handrail slide at a nearby skate park. Dave’s pioneering skills and his impact on the history of St. Louis skateboarding goes back to the 1980s, when he was a standout skater on the iconic Altered Skates of America /Team Onion. What was supposed to be a fun way to end a glorious day turned into a crushing knee and lower leg injury. Since that day almost two years ago, Dave has endured 9 grueling surgeries with the hope of saving his leg. Dave has not been able to work for the last two years because of all the surgeries. Navigating all this during a pandemic has been a tremendous challenge. Now Dave and his doctors have determined that the best option is an above the knee amputation. 

Dave has an incredible spirit. As a member of the St. Louis cycling community and the Gateway Cycling Team sponsored by Big Shark, Dave inspired others to train hard, race hard and do their best. Dave has also spent his career as an Occupational Therapist, treating and motivating his patients to recover from trauma and function independently after hospital stays. He has always treated his patients as part of his family. Now we can help Dave in his recovery and get him back on his bike and back to work.

In order to make this happen, Dave is in need of a customized prosthetic that will allow him to ride his bike, get back to work, and continue to inspire others to live their full life. The medical and equipment costs will exceed $100,000, but the difference this will make in Dave’s (and Wendie’s) life is priceless. Thank you for your financial and emotional support. I know Dave and Wendie are truly grateful!

Let’s all get back to chasing Dave on the bike and skateboard!