A flip on a trampoline has changed the life of an Eastern Washington student athlete.
David Sample, a sophomore at Walla Walla Valley Academy in College Place, Walla Walla County, landed awkwardly on April 23, breaking a vertebra in his lower neck.
Nearly two weeks later, the 16-year-old remains in the intensive care unit at Harborview Medical Center, where he was flown by air ambulance from the Walla Walla area.
He underwent emergency surgery that lasted more than eight hours to have his C4 through C7 vertebrae fused together, according to one of two online GoFundMe fundraisers started to help his family pay for what’s expected to be a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation.
It is too soon to know how much mobility he may regain, according to the fundraiser started on behalf of his mother, Crystal Perrin.
For now, his father is encouraged that he is regaining movement in the fingers of his right hand.
On April 30, David was able to move his thumb slightly, just enough to indicate a thumbs up, with the moment caught in a video his father, Ray Sample, posted to a “Prayers for David” Facebook page.
“Little victories,” his father posted.
By May 1, David could play a game of Yahtzee, slowly picking up one die at a time. The next day he was able to use a fork for the first time to get a bite of turkey into his mouth.
The C6 fracture was not complete, which is a hopeful sign for some recovery, his father told the Tri-City Herald.
But at this point, David has little strength in his arms and no feeling or movement in his legs, according to the fundraisers. His doctors are not optimistic he will walk again.
“As many of you know, David is a strong, determined and incredibly inspiring young man,” says a letter to friends, family and community on the GoFundMe post. “His spirit has never wavered, even in the face of this life-altering challenge.”
Before April 23, David was active and adventurous, skiing, hiking, backpacking and playing basketball and disc golf.
Both of his parents are spending most of their time in Seattle, and his sisters and brother, grandmother, a friend and basketball coach have all visited him.
And there have been plenty of phone calls, texts, care packages, meals organized for the family — and prayers.
David started planning the menu for his first meal when he is home and family is gathered around the kitchen table — grilled cheese on sourdough bread with pineapple and mayo, plus a little of his mother’s pesto made with fresh basil from the garden. Blueberry cheesecake is on the menu for dessert.
It’s a meal he planned taking into consideration the likes, dislikes and allergies of all his family members, his mother posted.
Long recovery ahead for teen
David likely will spend a couple months at Harborview starting rehabilitation, his father said.
It will be an uphill battle — not just physically and emotionally but also financially — for him to return home.
David will need major modifications to his Walla Walla-area home, including entrances and doorways adapted for a wheelchair, a fully adaptive bathroom and bedroom, and in-home equipment to support his daily care and mobility.
In addition, his mother will need to modify her current vehicle or buy a van that can accommodate David’s power wheelchair and the rest of the family.
“On top of all this, David is committed to finishing school, a goal that remains close to his heart,” according to the GoFundMe. “However, this will now require adaptive technologies, equipment and educational accommodations.”
Insurance will pay some of the costs. But outpatient rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment, including a car, will not be covered.
Other families have said that they have spent more than $200,000 on outpatient therapy after the initial inpatient rehabilitation, according to the post.
The GoFundMe goal to support David has been set at $250,000, with $45,000 raised so far.
A GoFundMe also has been started to support David through his father, with $10,000 raised. His father wants to help with specialized equipment that will encourage his rehabilitation or equipment that will help him get out and enjoy being in the mountains again.
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