Coach Joshua Medical Expenses and Recovery
Donation protected
In many aspects, our coaches are the unsung heroes for our children. Joshua Cook is a gymnastics coach working in the greater Dallas area. He is experiencing health problems that are preventing him from returning to work and is accumulating medical bills. We are asking for $10,000 to cover medical deductible and copays. If we raise more than that, it would go toward the wages he has lost from being unable to work.
Josh has dedicated his life to bringing his gymnastics kids to a level of excellence. He has always worked long hours, weekends and holidays because the success of the kids is so important. To be held back because of his health is miserable.
Josh has worked as a coach, security guard and bodyguard most of his life, so his body has endured some bumps and bruises. On February 10, 2019 he returned home from a weekend of training our kids. The following morning, he awakened to severe pain in this back, no feeling in his left hand and no ability to use his left shoulder, arm and hand.
Immediately a team of doctors gathered (neurosurgeons, spine specialists) and hospitalized Joshua, to begin a series of tests to answer many questions of why the back pain had increased and function lost in his left arm.
In medical terms, Joshua is challenged with injuries that have caused cervical stenosis resulting in pushing his disks to the left. In addition, he has posterior idiopathic mononeuritous and cervical spondylosis in his C3 and C4 along with C6-C7 vertebras, nerve entrapment in his left forearm/wrist/hand which has led to the loss of all function in that arm and hand.
Unfortunately, there are many more injuries still not addressed at this time. The outcome and prognosis depends on the affected nerves, for which more testing and evaluation will be required. Currently, he will be undergoing physical therapy, medications to reduce swelling in his back and forearm, and biweekly appointments with specialists in order to prep him for possible surgery and eventual recovery.
With the physical therapy, Josh has regained some use of his left arm. The doctors will be working together to determine the next course of action to keep the paralysis from returning and ultimately address the accumulated damage he has from the physical demands of his jobs. Presently the doctors are suggesting surgery.
The main goal and prayer – that he is able to gain the use of his arm again, and heal so he can be back in the gym, doing what he loves more than anything – Coaching!!!
Josh has dedicated his life to bringing his gymnastics kids to a level of excellence. He has always worked long hours, weekends and holidays because the success of the kids is so important. To be held back because of his health is miserable.
Josh has worked as a coach, security guard and bodyguard most of his life, so his body has endured some bumps and bruises. On February 10, 2019 he returned home from a weekend of training our kids. The following morning, he awakened to severe pain in this back, no feeling in his left hand and no ability to use his left shoulder, arm and hand.
Immediately a team of doctors gathered (neurosurgeons, spine specialists) and hospitalized Joshua, to begin a series of tests to answer many questions of why the back pain had increased and function lost in his left arm.
In medical terms, Joshua is challenged with injuries that have caused cervical stenosis resulting in pushing his disks to the left. In addition, he has posterior idiopathic mononeuritous and cervical spondylosis in his C3 and C4 along with C6-C7 vertebras, nerve entrapment in his left forearm/wrist/hand which has led to the loss of all function in that arm and hand.
Unfortunately, there are many more injuries still not addressed at this time. The outcome and prognosis depends on the affected nerves, for which more testing and evaluation will be required. Currently, he will be undergoing physical therapy, medications to reduce swelling in his back and forearm, and biweekly appointments with specialists in order to prep him for possible surgery and eventual recovery.
With the physical therapy, Josh has regained some use of his left arm. The doctors will be working together to determine the next course of action to keep the paralysis from returning and ultimately address the accumulated damage he has from the physical demands of his jobs. Presently the doctors are suggesting surgery.
The main goal and prayer – that he is able to gain the use of his arm again, and heal so he can be back in the gym, doing what he loves more than anything – Coaching!!!
Organizer
Jack Grimm
Organizer
Carrollton, TX