By NANCY HILER
As a result of the accident, Acevedo suffered severe spinal cord injuries, C-3 through C-5 cervical vertebrae trauma in the neck, which left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, a state known as complete quadriplegic.
"I have a long road ahead of me, but as always, I'm up for the challenge," Sergio said.
It is that resolve that has gotten him through an aggressive regimen of rehabilitation at Mr. Sinai Medical Rehabilitation Center in New York City, enabled doctors to remove a tracheotomy that once helped him to breathe and otherwise keeps him fighting to regain some independence.
Nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord respond to trauma and damage differently than do most other cells in the body, and are unable to regenerate. A "complete" injury such as Acevedo's means the spinal cord was totally disrupted. While there's always reason to hope for restored function after a spinal-cord injury, in general people with incomplete injuries have a better chance for recovery, according to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.
Currently living in a nursing home for the elderly, and only recently aided by Medicaid and long-term disability coverage, Acevedo has no home to which he can return, since his former residence was a third-floor walk-up apartment. Friends and family have come to his aid by sponsoring a series of fund-raisers to assist him, including a "Night of Comedy for Sergio's Recovery Fund" at the Bellmore Firehouse on Pettit Avenue in late October, which raised $3,400.
Unfortunately, that amount and the other dollars raised over the past year through garage sales and other events do not even begin to meet the costs of a power wheelchair and other items that Acevedo needs just to carry out ordinary activities. For example, he needs adaptive technology to answer the phone, turn out a light or open a door, and even get into bed, not to mention other equipment such as a specialized van for transportation or a hands-free computer (see "Expense estimates").
For the holiday season, a Long Island recording company, Paradiddle Records, is including Sergio's Recovery Fund as one of three local charities to share in the proceeds from a special "Happy Holidays" CD. Featuring local talent performing holiday songs from "Silent Night" to "Jingle Bells," it is available for $10 online at www.paradiddlerecords.com.
"Since [last] November, this has been a difficult journey, not only for myself but for my friends and family," Sergio commented. "I've had my ups and downs, but having all this support keeps me strong."
Anyone wishing to add to that support by making a direct donation may do so through the Sergio's Recovery Fund Web site at www.sergiosfund.org, or by e-mailing Erika at info@sergiosfund.org.
Comments about this story? Contact nhiler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 234.
# # #
