Send David back to work
Donation protected
My brother David has always been there for me, in good times and bad. He’s not only been there for me but he’s always been there for his family, his temple and his community. He is a selfless person who has always given to others. Last January, he had a catastrophic ski accident, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down and necessitating the amputation of his leg. He has never asked “Why me?” or “How could this have happened?” He is truly an inspiration, and I am in awe of his strength.
David has accepted his situation and has only looked forward, never back. In order for him to continue toward independence and to further his therapy, he needs medical equipment and a special vehicle that would allow him to drive on his own.
I’m asking you to help him reach these goals by making a contribution for him. Any amount will help, even $5 will make a difference. Living in Newtown Ct. David and his family know the importance of coming together and supporting one another when bad things happen. Please help us by making a contribution for David.
Below is his story in his own words.
“After 50 years of downhill skiing, and 25 years of raising my kids to ski and snowboard, I lost control on some black ice and hit a tree at full speed. I don’t remember the actual impact, just hitting the ice before and then laying on the slope after with a compound fracture of my right leg and a spinal cord injury. What followed has been an amazing journey through medical treatment, rehabilitation therapy and the support of an incredible family and community.
The accident occurred on January 2, 2016. I spent the next two weeks in the intensive care unit at the University of Vermont Medical Center. The first week was spent reconstructing my leg and healing my bruised ribs and organs so I could be rolled over for the back surgery. I had my back surgery the second week. The surgeon took some bone tissue from my hip to repair the damaged vertebra and then fused vertebra T-4 – T-11 together with titanium rods. The back and leg surgeries went “well” meaning that they at least stabilized my condition so that I could move on to the next step which was inpatient rehabilitation at the Kessler Institute in New Jersey. There I learned how to use a wheelchair, how to transfer to and from a bed, to and from a car, how to shower, how to dress and how to live as a paraplegic.
One month after the accident, it became apparent that the wound on my leg from the compound fracture would not heal. The tissue and blood flow did not recover and it seemed to be facilitating an infection that was affecting the rest of my body. We decided to amputate above the knee. I know it sounds crazy but without that leg dragging me down I was much more clear-headed and energetic.
After two and half months of in patient rehabilitative therapy, I went home and the real work began. We had to adapt the front walk and stairs so I could get into the house and make some modifications to accommodate my wheelchair. As I got stronger and figured things out I became much more independent, my wife returned to work and I was able to be left alone during the day. My real freedom came though when an Eagle Scout candidate in town decided to build a permanent ramp to get me into my house from my front walk. Once that was completed I could get from inside my house down to my driveway and garage unassisted. I am determined to return to work full time or as close to it as possible. I recently completed training and am now certified to drive a car with hand controls.”
I would like to help David raise enough money so that he can buy a new van. If we are successful, and I believe with your help we can be, the state will pay for the conversion to add a ramp, hand controls and a modified driver’s seat. The cost of such a vehicle, is between $40,000 - $50,000. In addition, David and Lynn need to make some additional modifications to their house so that he can get into and out of the shower easily, and so that he can reach appliances and the sink in the kitchen. These are small things that would allow him toward his independence. Finally, he is in need of some therapeutic equipment that is not covered by insurance.
We are asking you, friends, family, and community members, to help David to be able to afford the things he needs for greater independence. Please give what you can. We thank you for your support.
Nancy Wiener Joffe
David has accepted his situation and has only looked forward, never back. In order for him to continue toward independence and to further his therapy, he needs medical equipment and a special vehicle that would allow him to drive on his own.
I’m asking you to help him reach these goals by making a contribution for him. Any amount will help, even $5 will make a difference. Living in Newtown Ct. David and his family know the importance of coming together and supporting one another when bad things happen. Please help us by making a contribution for David.
Below is his story in his own words.
“After 50 years of downhill skiing, and 25 years of raising my kids to ski and snowboard, I lost control on some black ice and hit a tree at full speed. I don’t remember the actual impact, just hitting the ice before and then laying on the slope after with a compound fracture of my right leg and a spinal cord injury. What followed has been an amazing journey through medical treatment, rehabilitation therapy and the support of an incredible family and community.
The accident occurred on January 2, 2016. I spent the next two weeks in the intensive care unit at the University of Vermont Medical Center. The first week was spent reconstructing my leg and healing my bruised ribs and organs so I could be rolled over for the back surgery. I had my back surgery the second week. The surgeon took some bone tissue from my hip to repair the damaged vertebra and then fused vertebra T-4 – T-11 together with titanium rods. The back and leg surgeries went “well” meaning that they at least stabilized my condition so that I could move on to the next step which was inpatient rehabilitation at the Kessler Institute in New Jersey. There I learned how to use a wheelchair, how to transfer to and from a bed, to and from a car, how to shower, how to dress and how to live as a paraplegic.
One month after the accident, it became apparent that the wound on my leg from the compound fracture would not heal. The tissue and blood flow did not recover and it seemed to be facilitating an infection that was affecting the rest of my body. We decided to amputate above the knee. I know it sounds crazy but without that leg dragging me down I was much more clear-headed and energetic.
After two and half months of in patient rehabilitative therapy, I went home and the real work began. We had to adapt the front walk and stairs so I could get into the house and make some modifications to accommodate my wheelchair. As I got stronger and figured things out I became much more independent, my wife returned to work and I was able to be left alone during the day. My real freedom came though when an Eagle Scout candidate in town decided to build a permanent ramp to get me into my house from my front walk. Once that was completed I could get from inside my house down to my driveway and garage unassisted. I am determined to return to work full time or as close to it as possible. I recently completed training and am now certified to drive a car with hand controls.”
I would like to help David raise enough money so that he can buy a new van. If we are successful, and I believe with your help we can be, the state will pay for the conversion to add a ramp, hand controls and a modified driver’s seat. The cost of such a vehicle, is between $40,000 - $50,000. In addition, David and Lynn need to make some additional modifications to their house so that he can get into and out of the shower easily, and so that he can reach appliances and the sink in the kitchen. These are small things that would allow him toward his independence. Finally, he is in need of some therapeutic equipment that is not covered by insurance.
We are asking you, friends, family, and community members, to help David to be able to afford the things he needs for greater independence. Please give what you can. We thank you for your support.
Nancy Wiener Joffe
Organizer
David Wiener
Organizer
Berkshire, CT