It's hard to believe that it's been a week since Phil's motorcycle accident.
The daily posts show just how slow and difficult the path to recovery will be from a physical and mental perspective. He is in great hands with the medical team and is taking all the right baby steps. Once he comes off the ventilator, the physical and respiratory therapy will begin. The doctors have not speculated how long he might be in the hospital - it's almost impossible to do so at this stage - but they have prepared Rhonda that it could be another 1-2 weeks. And the actual recovery will take a couple of months more.
I am confident Phil has the right mental stamina to do what it takes to recover. For those who witnessed his support of Rhonda during her recent battle with cancer, Phil is one of the most goal-driven, determined men you will ever meet. He thrives on challenges and will do whatever it takes to excel in any rehabilitation therapy.
On an emotional level, the prayers, love, and support that each of you have provided has wrapped this family in a blanket of compassion that is nothing short of a miracle in itself. The messages gave them comfort when the extent of the injuries became known. They gave them strength as complications developed. And they give them hope as they anticipate the long road to recovery that lies ahead.
It truly does take a village to overcome some of life's setbacks.
Phil's village is generating an average of 201 visits per day with a peak of over 400 at the beginning of last week when the news was spreading. You have generated over 3,100 page views and spend over 5 minutes per visit sharing your love.
In this world of instant access to news, a week is a long time to stay top of mind. It's true of political scandals. It's true of natural disasters. And it will be true with this very personal accident. Many of you have offered to help "in any way", so before you get distracted by "life", I have a favor to ask.
With the medical and emotional aspects of the recovery covered, my thoughts now turn to the financial implications. Between the ambulance, Athens ER, Care Flight, Tyler ER, emergency surgery, cardiology, and 2+ week stay in ICU, I can only imagine the tab that is being run-up. Rhonda and Phil are blessed with medical coverage provided through Rhonda's work, but anyone who has suffered a major medical event knows that there are deductibles, co-pays, and many expenses that fall outside of the coverage. I've not yet been able to confirm, but Care Flight is frequently not covered. That trip alone will be approximately $20,000. Not to mention the loss of income.
To help reduce the financial burden of this tragedy, I have established a beneficiary account that will accept donations on the Carr's behalf. The choice to give, and how much, is at your personal discretion. But if Phil has ever helped you with a project or made you laugh at one of his lame jokes, I ask that you give generously. If Rhonda has ever touched your life in a positive way, I ask that you to give generously. If you have hope that your village would be there for you in such an emergency, I ask that you give generously.
I challenge Phil's village to build this fund to $50,000 over the next week and pray that will be enough. To give, simply make a check payable to Bank of Tyler and note "For the Benefit of Phillip J. Carr" in the memo section. Checks should be mailed to:
Benefit of Phillip J. Carr
c/o Bank of Tyler
3921 Old Jacksonville Highway
Tyler, Texas 75701
All donations will be treated as gifts for tax purposes and will be posted to the account anonymously.
I don't intend to turn this blog into a fund raising campaign, that is not its purpose. And besides, friends don't need to be reminded. In 7-10 days (once the donations have slowed), I will post a copy of the check that we'll present to Rhonda and Phil with a card signed on behalf of Phil's Village. My hope is that we can make that presentation the day Phil is released from the hospital so that they can focus 100% of their energy on his recovery.
Thank you for your love, your hope, and your spiritual support.
When considering a gift of this type please remember Galations 5:14, which says "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command, Love your neighbor as yourself". Give as you would want given to you, as the Lord would have you give.
ReplyDeleteDonations are starting to trickle in. Thank you and God Bless!
ReplyDeleteI received a call from the bank today advising that some checks had come in made out to Phil directly. Because of the way the account was set-up, all checks must be payable to Bank of Tyler and "For the Benefit of Phillip J. Carr" in the memo section. The bank has agreed to return the check to the sender with a personal note advising of the correction needed so as to protect the anonymity of the donor.
ReplyDelete