SUPPORT NATHAN GOCKE.COM
Saturday March 29th 2008 32-year-old South Bay surfer Nathan Gocke had a life changing surfing accident.
It was a fun day of surf along the South Bay beaches and Nathan had been getting some great waves just off 33rd street in Hermosa Beach. Nathan dropped into a wave and quickly lost his footing at the bottom of the wave causing him to fall. Nathan was picked back up the face of the wave and sent over the falls head first landing his neck directly onto a sandbar. Upon impact he was able to hear his back break and immediately lost all feeling in his body. He had become paralyzed and floated to the surface. A friend had just caught a wave before him and was able to see Nathan not moving and soon got to his aid as Nathan had begun to drown. Nathan was swum to shore where the lifeguards were radioed for help. Once in the hospital they were able to discover Nathan had punctured the C6 in his spinal chord and fractured his vertebrae. He underwent surgery that night to fuse the spine back together.
At this point in time Nathan is paralyzed from his nipple line down with limited arm movement. He is alert and in good spirits and ready to get to rehab and hopes to walk again some day.
This website has been designed to help support Nathan with the costs in which he will incur once out of the hospital. Insurance covers some things but not all. Spinal injuries are very costly and life changing so any help you can give will help Nathan ease back into society once out of the hospitals and rehab.
The money donated will be put into an account and will be presented to Nathan when he needs it to start moving on with his life. He will need to convert his home and car into a handicap accessible living environment along with the change of lifestyle.
Update 10/14/08....
After a 6 month stay at the Casa Colina Rehab facility in Pomona California, Nathan moved to Oxnard, CA Sept 14th,2008. While in Casa Colina Nathan learned many skills needed to function in society. However Nathan is still paralyzed from the nipple line down and has gained no extra movement. Nathan spent a great deal of his time in Casa Colina building up his arm strength and can now transfer himself in and out of a bed or into a car, but still needs the help of others with certain things. Nathan has also applied for his driving license to operate a special equipped vehicle. He has moved in with his Aunt and Uncle who are helping Nathan the best they can, however a care taker is still needed at times. Nathan is making great progress and has the support of his family and friends. The Life Rolls On Foundation has also been there to support Nathan with his road to recovery along with various members of the surfing world. Please donate to help Support Nathan and make his life as comfortable as possible as he makes his adjustments back into society.
Update 5/16/08 ...
As of may 15th Nathan is in a rehabilitation center called Casa Colina in Pamona, CA. He is still paralyzed from the nipple line down and is learning the skills needed to survive in life just in case he never walks again.
Nathan has lots of support from his Friends and Family along with Jesse Billauer and other members of the Life Rolls On foundation and surfers such as 8 time world champ Kelly Slater.
A special thank you to all the people who have donated to help support Nathan through this website. Nathan still has a long road ahead of him; your continued support is appreciated.
Thank You!
Thanks for any support you can give. Just click the button below and make a donation through paypal.
