Support Nkwelle's Recovery After Car Accident

FINAL UPDATE FOUND BELOW IN UPDATES SECTION

NKWELLE UPDATE #2:

Hey everyone, I was able to chat with Nkwelle and Cindy. I was also able to meet (virtually) his mom and dad for the first time! They are truly so lovely.

I was able to get an update on Nkwelle’s health situation. He’s obviously still stuck in the hospital and has not been able to leave the bed. Unfortunately he’s been having daily fevers and has had to have three blood transfusions. The doctors have promised Nkwelle that if the fevers cease for at least two days in a row they will let him go home so that he can rest in the comfortable of his own home.

Both Nkwelle and his family were incredibly touched when I told them that dozens of people from all faiths were praying and thinking of him. Nkwelle also wanted me to make sure that everyone who had sent nice words or donations knew how much it meant to him. I will certainly keep up my notes of gratitude to all of you.

Nkwelle has at least another 40 days of not being able to chew food. He’s been on a completely liquid diet since his mouth has been effectively shut. The doctor said his fractured jaw was very close to a nerve which would have meant he would have lost all feeling on the left side of his face. Luckily his injury didn't involve that.

Nkwelle is spending his days in bed - he says he’s been staring at the wall but someone brought him a Rubik’s cube and he’s been getting pretty good at it. He’s also been enjoying the “University of YouTube” to keep his mind sharp.

I also told him that we wanted to keep the Gofundme open for one more week. We know Nkwelle and his family need the money sooner than later due to the accumulating medical bills. If anyone has additional or new donations to make we obviously won’t say no but we want them to receive the money to help sooner than later.

Thank you all again for your help! He’s a truly wonderful person.

Stephen

NKWELLE UPDATE #1:

Hi everyone,

I just spoke with Nkwelle’s fiancée. Several of you had asked for updates on his health situation. I wanted to give you all the news that the situation and his recovery are unfortunately worse and more difficult than I even initially thought.

Cindy informed me that Nkwelle is still in the hospital’s intensive care unit. The doctors put iron supports in his mouth to reposition his jaw, which has been broken. Because of this, he won’t be able to chew food or talk for at least 45 days. Following that, he’ll need to go to a dentist for further operations as most of his teeth have been broken.

As for his fractured legs, he won’t be able to put weight on them for the next three months. It’s not clear if they’ll need to do a second surgery to remove the iron rods they inserted in his feet, thigh, and at the femur and tibia.

Cindy told Nkwelle about our fundraising efforts and he texted back, and I cite: “I

am extremely touched by the support”.

As for an update on the financial situation, Cindy has not been able to give a total accounting as she said the bills are coming everyday. She said anything would help and like Nkwelle, is so touched by the outpouring of help from all of us. Again, I want to underscore that there is no insurance to help out.

Original Message:

Dear all. As you well know, Nkwelle has been my friend and French tutor for many years. Unfortunately, Nkwelle was in a really bad car accident yesterday and has suffered damage to his face and leg. It’s a miracle he’s alive.

He just went through 7 hours of surgery tonight to repair the multiple leg fractures and his smashed teeth, etc. According to the doctors, he will not be able to speak for at least a month and a half. You can imagine that as a French teacher, speaking is key to his livelihood. I have not yet heard how his mobility might be impacted.

I have been in contact with Nkwelle’s fiancée Cindy (he just proposed to her a few weeks ago!) and told her that there is a community of people who have either heard great things about Nkwelle over the years or appreciated meeting Nkwelle during our wedding in April. I also told her that this community would not hesitate to help ease the financial burden during an already very stressful time for this newly-engaged couple. Please note that there is no insurance for them to lean on.

Let us come together to help Nkwelle, an incredible person, and his lovely fiancée Cindy during their time of need.

The $8,000 goal is an initial estimate to support the cost of his medical care and to help cushion Nkwelle during the time he won’t be able to work. We don’t know the exact cost of the surgeries and post op recovery at this time. Jessa and I are available if any of you have any questions.

Stephen