In one devastating moment, Tom Paulson’s life changed forever. A recent simple fall in his bathroom left a beloved irrigation manager completely paralyzed below his neck. This split-second accident has transformed every minute of his day into a struggle that requires constant assistance from others. The specialized care Tom needs could run into millions of dollars – far beyond what he and his small family can afford.

A Life-Threatening Situation

Tom’s situation has recently become critical. Due to inadequate care at a nursing home, he developed a severe pressure wound that led to life-threatening sepsis, requiring emergency ICU admission. While this crisis temporarily qualified him through Medicare for more specialized care, this enhanced support will only last a few weeks. Without immediate help, Tom faces return to insufficient nursing home care that could endanger his life again.

A Lifetime of Service

Tom’s journey is remarkable! His father Ted, who received a purple heart in the Korean War, always gave him great advice and influenced Tom’s tremendous work ethic. As a young man in Minnesota, Tom learned to fly a small aircraft to help his uncle who had a heart condition. After trade school, he worked as a skilled pipe fitter and welder on critical infrastructure, including nuclear power plants throughout the Midwest.

His passion for creating beautiful spaces led him to study landscape maintenance, eventually catching the attention of golf legend Arnold Palmer. Tom joined Palmer’s team developing premier golf courses before choosing to bring his talents to Southwest Florida community 25 years ago. A scratch golfer himself, Tom’s advice was simple: “ Learn how to putt!”

The Daily Reality

Tom’s paralysis affects every moment of his existence. He cannot:

• Lift a glass of water when thirsty
• Adjust his position when uncomfortable
• Scratch an itch or swat away an insect from his face
• Press a button to call for help
• Perform any basic self-care tasks
• Can’t turn his head to look out a window without assistance
• Can’t go outside!

Each day adequate care requires constant professional care for:

• Feeding and drinking
• Regular repositioning to prevent dangerous pressure sores
• Breathing exercises and monitoring
• Personal hygiene and toileting
• Specialized assistance for basic functions like coughing
• Daily wheelchair transfers and physical therapy to maximize his rehabilitation progress and enable him to live a life of dignity!

A Family in Crisis

Tom’s small but devoted family is struggling to cope, both emotionally and financially. The astronomical costs of proper care are far beyond their means. His girlfriend Alice, while still undergoing weekly chemotherapy treatments herself, traveled two hours up I-75 whenever possible to provide the care the nursing home couldn’t. Tom’s family have had their lives completely upturned trying to navigate a healthcare system that has proven woefully inadequate for his needs.

The Path Forward

With proper support and care, Tom can:

• Receive specialized care beyond his current temporary placement
• Access cutting-edge treatments, therapy and technologies
• Eventually move to an adapted home environment
• Maintain dignity and some measure of independence
• Stay connected to our community
• Receive proper medical and nursing attention to prevent future complications

What Your Support Will Provide

Your 100% tax-deductible donation through Helping Hands Ministries will fund:

Essential Equipment:

• Motorized wheelchair for mobility
• Electric air sand bed to prevent pressure wounds
• Hoyer lift for safe transfers
• Specialized medical devices

Professional Care:

• Daily nursing assistance
• Daily physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Respiratory care and management
• Wound care specialists

Home Modifications:

• Wheelchair accessibility renovations
• Bathroom and kitchen adaptations
• Smart home technology for environmental control
• Specialized medical bed installation

Time is Critical – And Insurance Isn’t Enough

The hard truth is that insurance covers only a fraction of what Tom needs. Long-term specialized care and housing costs could reach several million dollars – an impossible sum for Tom and his family to manage on their own. A sum insurance will not pay!

Every day matters in Tom’s recovery journey. Without immediate financial support:

• He risks returning to inadequate nursing home care
• He will miss the critical window for rehabilitation
• His chances for achieving any independence will diminish rapidly
• He could face more life-threatening complications

How to Help Save Tom

For 25 years, Tom has been there for his  community, making it more beautiful and welcoming every day. He remembered dogs’ names and carried treats just to see them wag their tails.

A Final Note

Imagine being trapped in your own body, unable to perform even the smallest self-care task. This is Tom’s reality every minute of every day. His recent medical crisis shows just how precarious his situation is without proper care.

There is no physical injury more devastating or soul-breaking than quadriplegia, and its impact ripples through entire families. But with your help, you can ensure Tom receives the care he needs to maintain his dignity and achieve the best possible quality of life. You can support Tom who has shown such courage in the face of overwhelming challenges. He only wants to get better!! You can give Tom the assistance he desperately need to receive proper care.