213 Donors

$1000

$1000

$1000

$1000

$1000

$1000

Top Donor

Stuart and Scott ...

$1,800

24 Fundraisers

George Sabga

$1,010

$500 Goal

202% Complete

Gillian Rahael

$545

$750 Goal

73% Complete

Missy Lennon

$100

$500 Goal

20% Complete

Thida Hou

$10

$1,000 Goal

1% Complete

Julie Gray

$0

$500 Goal

0% Complete

Brad Heather R...

$0

$500 Goal

0% Complete

On Sunday, August 26, 2012, around 3:30PM, our dearest Justin was in a major car accident in Tobago while visiting his good friend Albert (who lives in Trinidad). After a day of scuba diving and hiking, Justin, Albert, and Albert's brother were struck by a highly intoxicated driver travelling over 100 mph. Justin was in the rear passenger seat taking the full impact of the collision. He was the only passenger that was seriously injured.

Justin was transported to a medical facility in Tobago. Time was of the essence. Tobago's hospitals lack in medical resources to properly care for seriously injured persons. Knowing this, Albert was making immediate arrangements for Justin to be helicoptered back to Trinidad, and organizing a team of neurosurgeons to meet them.

In Trinidad, now Monday morning at 3-4:30AM, Justin underwent emergency surgery where doctors successfully repaired two broken vertebrae at C-6&7. Later, nearly 4PM, he was transported back to Atlanta by Jet ICU to Piedmont Hospital arriving at 2AM the next morning.

Currently, Justin is now strong enough to breathe on his own, so his breathing tube has been removed. He has undergone an MRI and a CT scan. The MRI showed that he has 5 fractures to his vertebrae; 3 cervical and 2 thoracicspine. He will need to undergo more surgery. Because of that his body is very swollen, and he is unable to use his hands, but he can move his arms! We are hopeful that once the swelling minimizes he will have more mobility. Thankfully, he does have control of his head, shoulders, and the top of his chest. However, he still has no feeling below those points.

Justin will be relocated to Shepherd Spinal Center where he will have the highest quality of specialized treatment. We are blessed to have him back, and optimistic about his recovery.

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Throughout this entire crisis Albert has been by his side. He and his family saved Justin's life by ensuring that he received the best medical treatment available at the time. Albert's mother prayed over Justin, comforted and updated his family, and treated him as if he was her own son. We will be forever indebted to them.

Becky, Justin's sister-in-law, has been equally significant by moving mountains to rent the Jet ICU to fly Justin and Albert back to the states on moments notice. At Piedmont Hospital, where she works as an RN, Becky has provided top-notch treatment for both Justin and the rest of the family. She continues to do so throughout this entire struggle.

We pray for Justin's full recovery. He has a long tough road ahead of him. He and his family need all of the support they can get emotionally, physically, and financially. The medical treatments already incurred, along with the emergency transportation from Trinidad to Atlanta, has amounted to overwhelming expenses. Future procedures and treatments will add to those costs. We graciously encourage everyone to contribute in any way possible. Every dollar will help.

Again, please keep Justin in your thoughts and prayers. He is the most enthusiastic, tenacious, and caring person one could ever meet. His full recovery is highly anticipated, and each donation will make a difference.

Please share this with anyone you think could make a contribution. Thank you for your support and blessings.

- Friends of Justin

** Please "Like" or "Favorite" LOVE FOR JUSTIN LAKE on Facebook to stay informed about Justin's road to recovery.

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