Help a young man trapped in his own body after a tragic accident
A single moment can change your life forever. This summer, a young man from our region experienced just that. On July 27, in a moment full of joie de vivre, he made an exuberant somersault – as we have all done at some point. But this inconspicuous moment ended in tragedy: an injury to his cervical spine that turned his life upside down.
Johannes is the fifth of six children and was born on August 1, 1993. After compulsory school, he attended the LLA and completed a carpentry apprenticeship. He then worked for a construction company. Johannes was always an integral part of village life: active in the band, the young farmers’ association and the volleyball group. At home, he helped out diligently on the farm and was always welcome everywhere. The nurses at the clinic even called him “our favorite patient”.
Since his accident, Johannes has been lying there, a young man in the prime of his life, but trapped in a body that no longer obeys him. The injury is so severe that he can no longer breathe on his own and is completely paralyzed. His only chance of learning to live with this fate is rehab, where he could learn to operate the PC with his eyes and regain some independence with the help of a special computer system.
In mid-November, Johannes would have the opportunity to be admitted to rehab in Vienna-Meidling, where he could learn to control his environment despite his severe limitations. However, the costs of rehab are not covered by the insurance company as it is not an accident at work. The clinic and the rehab center have already tried in vain to get the ÖGK and the PVA to cover the costs.
Every contribution helps to overcome this first important hurdle and enable him to start rehab.
Imagine if each of us not only donates, but forwards this email to five friends and asks them to make a small contribution too, then we can make a big difference! Your 5 friends in turn forward the email to 5 friends, etc. etc. If 200 members of the Brotherhood give the go-ahead and each find just five people who are willing to donate 5 euros, the whole thing would multiply:
• 1st round: 200 members x 5 people at 5 euros each = 5,000 euros
• 2nd round: 1,000 new donors x 5 people at 5 Euro each = 25,000 Euro
• 3rd round: 5,000 new donors 5 people at 5 Euro each = 125,000 Euro
• 4th round: 25,000 new donors x 5 people at 5 Euro each = 625,000 Euro
• 5th round: 125,000 new donors x 5 people at 5 Euro each = 3,125,000 Euro
In the 5th round, we could reach a total of 3,905,000 euros!
This assistance offers more than just basic care – it gives Johannes the opportunity to experience a little independence again thanks to state-of-the-art technology. Today, there are computer controls that enable people with spinal cord injury to control their environment: operating the computer with their eyes, switching on the lights by voice or controlling important household appliances via specialized systems. These technologies can help them gain a new form of freedom and live independently despite their limitations.
Using eye and voice control or even the latest brain-computer interfaces, Johannes could write emails, control the light in the room or trigger an alarm in an emergency. Such assistance systems are expensive, but they are the key to a new life for him. Our support not only helps him with his rehabilitation, but also on this path to new independence. The family plans to care for him at home after rehab, and the care organization is currently looking for intensive care nurses to make this care possible.
Let’s help now!
Let us work together to ensure that John and his family are not alone in their darkest hour. Our contribution may be a small step for us – but for him it is the opportunity to feel a bit of hope again.
Direct bank transfer to our donation account or online transaction below:
Raiffeisen Arlberg Silvretta, A-6580 St. Anton am Arlberg IBAN: AT52 3624 8000 0081 2107 • BIC: RZTIAT22248
Let us work together to ensure that John and his family are not alone in their darkest hour. Our contribution may be a small step for us – but for him it is the opportunity to feel a bit of hope again.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help and compassion.
With deep gratitude and solidarity,
Florian Werner
Brotherhood Master
