CLAUDIO SILVA

Luiz Claudio Silva was born in Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil, and has been living in Miami, FL, since 1996 with his wife Eva.  Claudio was kitesurfing on December 31, 2004, when a strong gust of wind damaged his control bar...he hit a tree about 30 feet up, and slammed into the ground.

Claudio spent many days in ICU. Traction was performed to align his back.  The T12-L1 injury required a fusion. 

Claudio also had multiple rib fractures and a right clavicle fracture.  

He was induced into a coma for about 20 days to avoid further complications caused by movement.  A side effect of the drugs used to induce the coma were hallucinatory dreams, which he says were like spiritual battles.

While waiting for the fusion surgery the doctors discovered a pneumonia infection, so they had to fight it before Claudio could go through the procedure.  On 1/19/05, they finally decided that it was time for my surgery.  The pneumonia was not yet 100% controlled, but time was playing against him.

On January 24th the surgery was performed, and the fusion done at T12-L1 level, where an orthopaedic spinal fusion rod and screws were placed.  

Claudio does not remember the accident, nor the days in the ICU.  He says it was really shocking waking up and not knowing the reason why he was hospitalized...and terribly difficult to face the reality since then.

From Claudio:  "I am really lucky that my wife Eva is giving me all the help she can by dedicating 100% of her time, work, and love to me. 

Without her I don't think I would make it at all.  I feel so sorry that she is going through this with me."

Along with some other payments, we are pleased that we could give Claudio an All-Terrain Tremor Wheelchair so he could return to his beloved ocean!

Since this gift, we have also been able to assist from time to time with mortgage money, provided a Pantone set and new fan for their computer, a special microphone for Claudio's video camera, a mattress topper, and a round trip flight from Florida to California so Claudio could experience and film our Acceptance Day event on July 23rd, 2008.  (www.acceptanceday723.org)