on going recovery expenses

Many have reached out and truly wanted some way that they could help with the many expenses and challenges that are currently being faced and that will be continue to be faced in the upcoming future that WILL NOT all be covered by the military, such as adaption equipment for tyler to move forward living as close to normal life as possible, change of living space and adaption of the handicap accessible items that will be needed, continued travel and lodging expenses for family to be with him during this long recovery and so much more!!!

for those who do not know the details of this situation I will share below.

my son Tyler and his wife Liz are both enlisted in the Navy and stationed in San Diego, ca. On Oct 18th they experienced a great loss as their new born baby passed away due to medical issues in premature birth. After we had finished the arragments for Josiahs funeral Tyler and Liz decided to come home with me to Arkansas to take a week and be with family during this time of grief. On Sunday Oct 29th they set out to drive back to their home in ca.

while driving in Texas they were run off the road into a muddy ditch by another driver due to rain and an unmarked abrupt lane closure. they were ok and called for roadside assistance who told them it would be 3 hrs until they could get to them. Tyler at this point got out of the car to try and get tires unstuck. he was not successful and got muddy, so he then went to the trunk to get a change of clothes, it was at this time another vehicle went off the road in same area and slammed into him at the back of the car crushing his legs and pulling him under the tires when they tried to reverse. Liz was jarred forward violently in the car, twisted her body and hitting her head. She got out of the car and struggled through the mud to help Tyler from under the vehicle and put tourniquets on his legs to stop bleeding ( they had just taken this course together in the military). Ambulance took 25 minutes to get there and they were at least 40 minutes from the hospital.

His legs were too damaged to save. So after checking him extensively for any other life threatening issues, he went into surgery to remove both of his legs from above the knee down. It was extensive work as they were laying in the mud for 25 minutes after the accident. But the procedure went well with no unexpected findings. They did however still need to go back to repair his femur. Monday, once out of surgery, he was given as much time to be sedated and rest as possible. He was breathing over the ventilator and while he naturally had a temperature, it was managed to keep him safe. Later that day he was brought out of sedation. While still on the ventilator he was communicating with a writing pad. He was very cognitive of what happened. He had questions of course. And once the ventilator was out, he had plenty to say. Pain is a struggle as we all knew it would be, and the emotions that come with this new reality. But he was also feisty and joking. He is strong. And I’m reminded once again what an amazing person he is.

Liz said that when they’d reached the hospital, he was trying to calm her down. Him. Hurt and about to lose his legs. He was comforting her. And after he was awake and struggling, she was there for him. Holding him and calming him. I could never say why they have been through the things they have this month. But I am thankful for the wonderful woman that he has by his side.

in the last week he has had 2 more surgeries to repair his femur and to stop an infection that began in his left upper leg. He will be med vac to Balboa in San Diego this week and then we will all begin the next phase of this recovery journey!!!

For those who know Tyler and Liz or have even just met them then you know what light and strength they shine!!! they have a faith in God that will help them to take these hardships and turn them for future good!!! prayers are what we need the most during this time but for those who have felt led to help them in future expenses I wanted to give you a platform. We cannot thank our circle of support enough during this time and we love every one of you. for updates you can follow #prayersfortyler