Help Needed For David’s 5K Fun Run

David with Jessica from REQ

David has been measured for his new wheelchair. Jessica from REQ out of Manchester, New Hampshire got all of his requirements a week and a half ago. We are now just waiting for the final quote.

David’s next fundraiser will be a 5K Fun Run.
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2013
Registration: Is from 8 am to 9 am
The Run / Walk will be from 9:30 am until Noon
www.davidsjourneytorecovery.com/5k.html

Location: Keene High School Alumni Field. We will be using the Keene High School 5K Loop. The same one that the Cross Country Team uses.

Entry Fees: $15 for Adults
$10 for 18 and under

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
– We need Raffle Prizes for the Raffle at the end of the event! Contact your employers and other organizations to see what you can dig up.
– Also need people to help out at the event. Let us know if you would like to help.
– START NOW! Organize your families, friends, co-workers and get them involved in the event!
– Share this link: www.davidsjourneytorecovery.com/5k.html

We are working to raise enough money to purchase David an Upper Tone system. An Upper Tone is a workout device that would help David work out his upper body. They can cost between $3,000 and $6,000.

If you want to help or donate a raffle prize you can contact me at: phudgik@gmail.com or Call: 603-357-4901

Thank you for your prayers, love and support,

David’s Dad Paul

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Update From The Hudgiks • July 21st

Just doing a little catch up on what David has been doing over the past few weeks.

The weekend of June the 28th the whole family went down to Newport RI for David’s cousin Carl’s wedding. The wedding was right on the docks with the harbor as their backdrop. The weather held off, and it was a beautiful wedding. David had a great time as we were all introduced to the new Couple Mr & Mrs Carl and Danelle Trant.
We wish them much happiness.

We were down for three days so we had time to take in the sights such as the Mansions, the Tennis Hall of Fame, shops, and many other sights.

On the last day we were there David meet a young gentleman working on the docks by the name of Zack who had a spinal cord injury at a lower level than David about ten years ago. Zack offered David a ride on the ferry but we did not have a lot of time. It was getting late in the day and we needed to start working our way back to New Hampshire. (See picture above)

One of our next events will be a 5K Fun Run to be Held August 31st at the Keene High School Cross Country trail.

WE NEED HELP!

We need items to raffle off at the end of the walk. Corporate donations of items such as gift cards and promotional items would be greatly appreciated. Contact me at phudgik@gmail.com or call 603-357-4901.

I would be more than willing to pick the items up.
We are open to all and any ideas people my have to make this event a success.

More information will be following on this event very shortly.

Your help on this event is needed and very much appreciated.

Dave’s Dad Paul

Click here for more photos.

Helping David on His Journey: Caragh McManus

Caragh McManus is David’s tutor.  After she started working with David she was inspired to do more to help. She shares her experience here.

My decision to move back to Keene from Boston was a difficult one for me.  I was leaving my profession as a corporate accountant to pursue a career in education.  I never realized that I would be given the chance to work with one of the most amazing individuals I have ever met.  At the start of school I was working as a substitute teacher when an opportunity came about to work with David.  The story of his accident had been told to me, but I had never met David personally until I was asked if I would be his tutor.  I was extremely happy when David agreed that he would like to work with me.  I am not going to lie, I was also a little nervous not knowing much about spinal cord injuries or how his spirit was after the accident.

My nervousness quickly subsided when on my first day with David he decided to pull a prank on me.  When I was going to change his brace for lunch I moved his hand to put his thumb in the proper place.  He let out a scream that stopped me in my tracks.  As he can tell you, I am Irish and turn red in any situation.  Needless to say, I turned bright red thinking I had hurt him, and on my first day!  I looked at him mortified and realized he had this giant smile on his face and was laughing at me.  From that moment on I knew that we would not only work hard in school but would have some fun along the way.

Working with David this past year has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  Whether I asked him to work on his homework, solve numerous problems in math, or work on a project, David did it with a smile on his face.  My time with David also brought an awareness of spinal cord injuries and spinal cord research.  David would come in to school and show me different advancements in science dealing with spinal cord injuries.

This piqued my own interest about the topic, and I decided to donate to the Spinal Cord Research Foundation to do my part in helping find a cure for these terrible injuries. David’s Journey to Recovery site has also given me the opportunity to help out any way I can to further his recovery.  Going to his booth during Pumpkin Fest and seeing the community come together to help David made me want to give even more.  I started using iGive, which gives a percentage of my online purchases to David, as well as spreading the word about this site to family and friends.  The site is wonderful and takes no additional thought other than using it to shop online.

I know that these small acts have helped, but I still wanted to do more for this fantastic, deserving young man.  After speaking with David and listening to what he would like to happen, I have decided to put together a 5K fundraiser for him.  On August 31^st, 2013 at Keene High School, a 5K fun run in honor of David will be happening.  We are in the beginning stages of this fundraiser but are going to be working throughout the summer to make this run the most successful it can be.

David has changed my life in so many ways.  I try to live every day to the fullest and appreciate all that I have.  Working with David has also reaffirmed my decision to move back home and pursue a career in education.  Every day I am excited to go to work and help David accomplish his academic goals.  I cannot wait to see what he achieves in life, because I know he will do incredible things.

~ Caragh McManus

Update From The Hudgiks • July 14th

It has been a week now since David’s dysreflexia / heart attack episode. He bounced back quickly on Monday and other than being a little tired he seems to be his old self again. Next Monday, as a precaution, he will be visiting the cardiologist to see if there is any damage to his heart. Going forward we will be working harder to reduce the chances of this happening in the future.

I have been behind on my postings and will be doing a 30 day catchup this week. Including Father’s Day, his cousin’s wedding in Newport, 4th of July and a long weekend with his cousins.

This coming Wednesday David will have the specialist over for a Wheelchair Clinic. We hope to get his manual wheelchair ordered then.

The weekend of July 27th we are planning to have another Tag Sale at our home on old Walpole Rd. We are also looking to do Tag Sales the weekend before Labor Day and the Labor Day weekend. The goal would be to try and pick up returning college kids looking for stuff to furnish their apartments with. We have a lot of items left, but are still looking for more. Items can be dropped off at 124 old Walpole Rd. Just look for the ranch with the 4′ X 8′ , “Davids Journey to Recovery” sign in front of the house.

Any and all Ideas for new fundraisers are appreciated.

The photo above was taken at David’s Grandfathers house a week after Fathers Day. ( David was not able to make it down on Father’s Day the weekend before) There are 4 generations of Hudgiks in the photo. His grandfather Frank, me, his brother Jason, and niece Jadyn.

His grandfather has been one of his biggest supporters. He has helped with fundraisers, helped with moving us into our new house and has made donations to David’s cause. Dad will be 89 this August.

Thanks Dad. We love you very much!

David’s Dad Paul

Update From The Hudgiks • July 8th

Not every day is a good day. Early this morning, at around 1 a.m., David was hit with an episode of dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia is characterized by severe high blood pressure, rapid & extreme heart beats. It becomes hard to breath and your head feels like it is going to explode.

David said it felt like he was having a heart attack.

If not treated very quickly it can be life threatening.

The cause was a blocked catheter. His mom tried to get it cleared but could not so she called for an ambulance. When experiencing a dysrefexia episode it is very important to move quickly, relieve the problem and get medical help.

David as a always kept his head. He even tried to help keep his mom calm.

The medical team took David to Cheshire Medical where they were able to clear the blockage and insert a new larger catheter. The Doctor and staff there were great.

At around 4 a.m. David was feeling better and released.

We all didn’t get much sleep. It was a very long night.

Today David is back to his old self. He seems fine.

I’m very glad we bought a home that is only a mile from the hospital and 2 miles from the fire station.

We are all looking forward to better days ahead.

Keep David in your prayers.

David’s Dad Paul