Navy Veteran Amputee Help
Donation protected
David is an Amputee...
But, first, David is a 21 year-old son and a sibling to two younger brothers. David is a Boy Scout. David is a high school graduate. David is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, boating, and scuba diving. David is a U.S. Navy veteran. And is now also an amputee.
David was deployed for more than 2-years in Japan and the Pacific as an Aircraft handler (ABH) on the deck of the USS George Washington (CVN-73) from May, 2013 until June, 2015. Six months after returning to the States at 3:00 am on December 19, 2015, David was involved in a vehicle accident on I-295 in Jacksonville Florida. There were no injuries in this accident. David exited his vehicle on the side of the road to inspect the moderate damage to his car and to call 911. That is when a drunk driver came along, crashed into David's car, crushing him between his car and the concrete guardrail which his car was stopped next to.
David was transported to the nearest Level-1 Trauma Center in Jacksonville, Florida. Due to trauma center protocols, he received a 'Tox Screen' and was found to be clear himself of any alcohol or drugs. He is a clean and responsible young man. Unlike the driver who changed his life forever. On the morning of the incident, he was in surgery for over 6 hours trying to stabalize his leg, immobilize the crushed bone fragments, and replace vascular damage. 2 days later, he was in surgery again for over 4 hours when the leg was Amputated just below the knee. He recieved a third surgery which lasted nearly 5 hours 2 days after that. A fourth surgery scheduled for 5 days after that.
In 2012, David spent his Christmas in Basic Training as an 18 year-old. In 2013 and 2014 he spent Christmas on the Deck of the USS George Washington in the Pacific. Now, this 21 year-old is spending a forth Christmas away from any home in the hospital due to the careless actions of a drunk driver. This is a young man that served his country in a dangerous job only to be grossly injured on the side of the road at home.
I am David's Father and am writing this on Christmas Day 2015 as I sit next to my son's hospital bed, as I have done every day and night for the past 7 days when he was admitted here. I am a single father, I have been a professional firefighter/paramedic for 20 years. I have three sons, David is 21, his brothers are 19 in college, and 9 years-old in the third grade. I have taken off work to ensure my son is taken care of in this time of need.
While we have insurance, it will not cover all immediate care, prosthesis, rehab, and ongoing care. Especially when he will be out of work for some time and my already tight income is compromised while helping him. For example, this site (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17671005) in 2007 (consider increases in the last 8-9 years) states that average initial costs of an amputation with prosthesis is $91,106. Yet, his incident is hardly average. He has had FOUR long intensive surgeries. And the average lifetime costs for amputee of a lower extremity is $509,275, again in 2007 dollars.
These funds will help to pay for his medical care first and possibley help suppliment his expenses while he 'gets on his feet' (pun intended). David has maintained the most positive outlook throughout his ordeal. He will make anyone that invests in this veteran's future proud.
I am here doing all that I possibly can for my son. But, I already know that I will need help to ensure his well-being and successful future. He and I, as his dedicated father, will be eternally grateful for whatever help you are willing to give.
Thank you.
But, first, David is a 21 year-old son and a sibling to two younger brothers. David is a Boy Scout. David is a high school graduate. David is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, boating, and scuba diving. David is a U.S. Navy veteran. And is now also an amputee.
David was deployed for more than 2-years in Japan and the Pacific as an Aircraft handler (ABH) on the deck of the USS George Washington (CVN-73) from May, 2013 until June, 2015. Six months after returning to the States at 3:00 am on December 19, 2015, David was involved in a vehicle accident on I-295 in Jacksonville Florida. There were no injuries in this accident. David exited his vehicle on the side of the road to inspect the moderate damage to his car and to call 911. That is when a drunk driver came along, crashed into David's car, crushing him between his car and the concrete guardrail which his car was stopped next to.
David was transported to the nearest Level-1 Trauma Center in Jacksonville, Florida. Due to trauma center protocols, he received a 'Tox Screen' and was found to be clear himself of any alcohol or drugs. He is a clean and responsible young man. Unlike the driver who changed his life forever. On the morning of the incident, he was in surgery for over 6 hours trying to stabalize his leg, immobilize the crushed bone fragments, and replace vascular damage. 2 days later, he was in surgery again for over 4 hours when the leg was Amputated just below the knee. He recieved a third surgery which lasted nearly 5 hours 2 days after that. A fourth surgery scheduled for 5 days after that.
In 2012, David spent his Christmas in Basic Training as an 18 year-old. In 2013 and 2014 he spent Christmas on the Deck of the USS George Washington in the Pacific. Now, this 21 year-old is spending a forth Christmas away from any home in the hospital due to the careless actions of a drunk driver. This is a young man that served his country in a dangerous job only to be grossly injured on the side of the road at home.
I am David's Father and am writing this on Christmas Day 2015 as I sit next to my son's hospital bed, as I have done every day and night for the past 7 days when he was admitted here. I am a single father, I have been a professional firefighter/paramedic for 20 years. I have three sons, David is 21, his brothers are 19 in college, and 9 years-old in the third grade. I have taken off work to ensure my son is taken care of in this time of need.
While we have insurance, it will not cover all immediate care, prosthesis, rehab, and ongoing care. Especially when he will be out of work for some time and my already tight income is compromised while helping him. For example, this site (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17671005) in 2007 (consider increases in the last 8-9 years) states that average initial costs of an amputation with prosthesis is $91,106. Yet, his incident is hardly average. He has had FOUR long intensive surgeries. And the average lifetime costs for amputee of a lower extremity is $509,275, again in 2007 dollars.
These funds will help to pay for his medical care first and possibley help suppliment his expenses while he 'gets on his feet' (pun intended). David has maintained the most positive outlook throughout his ordeal. He will make anyone that invests in this veteran's future proud.
I am here doing all that I possibly can for my son. But, I already know that I will need help to ensure his well-being and successful future. He and I, as his dedicated father, will be eternally grateful for whatever help you are willing to give.
Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
David Hulse
Organizer
Fernandina Beach, FL
David Hulse
Beneficiary