Meet Ellis. He is a 25 year old brother, son, friend and police officer. He easygoing, but of astonishing wit and deep moral character. Whether he’s playing music at church, buying parts to work on his car, or going on hiking trips with his family, Ellis radiates a gentle strength that earns him friends everywhere he goes. He’ll never make a fuss about his own comfort, but is always the first to stand up when someone needs to be protected. He’s funny, kind, self-reliant, and undeniably likable.

On July 16th, 2024, Ellis was in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. While off-duty, he was run off the road by an erratic driver and broke his neck in 9 places. He spent a month in the ICU undergoing many surgeries, then 6 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital, where he was inexplicably discharged early, despite still needing wound care as well as respiratory, occupational and physical therapy treatments. His family is by his side 24/7, but they’re still in need of many essential things to continue his care at home.

Ellis has zero brain damage and can now talk and breathe freely. He’s regaining sensation in his body every day (he can shrug his shoulders, tilt his head, sometimes lift his right arm), but damaged nerves regenerate very slowly, and he still needs help for all essential things—eating, drinking, showering, bathroom, getting outside, etc.