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We Got Your Back, Max!

$3850raised of $50000 goal
7%

Organizer: Allison Downey Beneficiary: Max Tibbitts

HERE'S THE STORY: On Tuesday, August 7th Max Tibbitts geared up for a bike ride. Not just a tootle around Saugatuck, mind you, but a real ride. He was on vacation but being the committed,...

This fundraiser is closed

HERE'S THE STORY: On Tuesday, August 7th Max Tibbitts geared up for a bike ride. Not just a tootle around Saugatuck, mind you, but a real ride. He was on vacation but being the committed, passionate good citizen that he is, he would give up a day of vacation to host the annual National Night Out for his neighborhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan. And since he is dedicated to health and fitness (losing 135 lbs. in a year!) he decided to ride the 60+ miles home for the event on his new bike. He heard the horn beeping behind him, turned to look. A man driving a delivery truck looked right at Max, smiled, and aimed the truck directly at him. Max veered away from the on-coming truck and crashed into the cans lined up for trash day, sending him flying, clipped in to his bike, over the cans for 30 feet, flipping in the air, until he smashed into the concrete road. Max tucked and rolled, which saved his life, but crashing at 25 mph downhill, landing in grass and gravel and skidding 20 feet, left him with a broken neck and back in 2 places, elbow, wrist and ribs, and road rash. The truck drove away. After surgery, Max is now in a full torso brace and will be out of work (as a self-employed massage therapist) for the next 4-6 months. His loss of income, co-pays, and uncovered medical expenses will be crippling. This first fundraiser is to cover the known costs, and help cover unforeseen costs as well. ANOTHER TWIST: Witnesses ran to his aid, called 911. By the time his partner Jeff arrived, no help had arrived because the volunteer EMS can take an hour to convene. Max didn't have an hour to wait, so Jeff drove him directly to the hospital, without contact info. for the witnesses - his focus was on Max. Police are refusing to write a police report because there was no physical contact between Max and the truck. Without the police report and witness information, insurance may not cover the medical expenses. If this is the case, which we will know fairly soon, all medical expenses will need to be covered - that will require major fundraising efforts! Let's help get Max back on his bike!
Contact the Organizer

Updates

09/21/2012
by Allison Downey
As of 9/21/12, Max is out of his turtle-brace, and is in physical therapy, recovering slowly but surely. Though his physical outlook is good, he still has some problems with insurance; the company to which he has been paying premiums is denying coverage because there is no witness to the accident. It has taken weeks to obtain a police report (the case number is known, but the report itself is still not available), there is no record of the 911 calls, and although there were witnesses, they cannot be found. This means that although his medical expenses are being covered (mostly), he is not receiving income to cover living expenses, and other incidentals. 

If anyone has ideas about how to find the witnesses, let us know. We have posted flyers near the accident, and have contacted local television. We are expecting a newspaper article to appear soon.

Supporters

KK&NN
donated$120.00
Wednesday, October 17, 2012

We are keeping you in our thoughts.



Anonymous
donated$50.00
Sunday, October 07, 2012

Thinking of you and hope you're doing better



Bob and Laurie Fugate
donatedHidden Amount
Saturday, September 29, 2012

Keep on moving forward!



Lizzy and Frank Bystrycki
donatedHidden Amount
Wednesday, September 19, 2012

We wish you healing, with love, Lizzy and Frank Bystrycki



Andi Mazzone and Randy Shields
donated$100.00
Monday, September 17, 2012

Hang in there, Max!



Dam and Marsha Love
donated$20.00
Monday, September 17, 2012

Sending continued healing thoughts and prayers......



Eileen and Sope
donatedHidden Amount
Monday, September 17, 2012

Thinking of you daily and wishing oyu strength.



Anonymous
donated$25.00
Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Any friend of Allison and John's is a friend of mine. Sending good wishes and courage for your recovery!



David Gernant
donated$50.00
Monday, September 10, 2012

Keep up good thoughts !



David Feaster
donated$100.00
Friday, September 07, 2012



Ruth and Ray Piazza
donated$50.00
Friday, September 07, 2012

Thinking of you Max.



Larry & Kim Taylor
donatedHidden Amount
Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Max, we're following your progress through Sarah, James, and Charlie. Both you and Jeff are in our prayers.



doug and bernie
donated$200.00
Tuesday, September 04, 2012



Anonymous
donatedHidden Amount
Monday, September 03, 2012

I'm so sorry about this accident. May you be well and strong.



Sharon and Tom
donatedHidden Amount
Sunday, September 02, 2012

We've got you in our thoughts.



Janice Maatman
donatedHidden Amount
Thursday, August 30, 2012

Max-The Quakers say, "I will hold you in the light." Know that I imagine you in the healing rays of the sun. Jan



Lori Anderson
donated$25.00
Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Best wishes and heal quickly!



Kevin and Dianne Hollenbeck
donated$100.00
Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Thinking about you often and wishing the speediest recovery...



Kelly
donated$25.00
Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Get well soon Max!!!



Carolyn Heinemann
donated$20.00
Saturday, August 25, 2012



Harry and Liz
donated$200.00
Friday, August 24, 2012

Max and Jeff, we are just horrified at what has happened. You are both in our prayers. Please get well soon, Max!



Elena and Bruce
donated$50.00
Friday, August 24, 2012

Max and Jeff, we ask for the most benevolent outcome for you. Your strength of body and spirit is amazing. Hope we can see you soon.



Colleen and Bill
donated$200.00
Friday, August 24, 2012

We're thinking of you Max and wishing you a speedy recovery. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you and Jeff need a hand with anything - we got your back ;-)



Anonymous
donated$65.00
Friday, August 24, 2012

Max we are sending our love and prayers to you.



Daniel and Ruth Barrett
donatedHidden Amount
Thursday, August 23, 2012

Max love and prayers your way



Larry & Babette
donated$50.00
Thursday, August 23, 2012

Max continue with the positive attitude. You will get back on your bike!



Rob and Margaret
donated$25.00
Thursday, August 23, 2012

So sorry about this awful accident. First, we hope that you have a speedy full recovery. Second, we hope that witnesses step up and the low life that did this to you is located. You are a wonderful person. We love you.



Paula & Frank Jamison
donated$100.00
Thursday, August 23, 2012

Max - Know that we are with you in spirit as you recover from this truly unfortunate experience! Best thoughts. Paula & Frank



Tricia Pecora and Donald Burke
donated$50.00
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

My dear Maxy...I still can't believe that after all this time that I hadn't talked to you, I called you accidentally, albeit, on the day of the accident...I miss you Maxy, wishing you all the very best. I am thinking of you and Norma Otten also sends her best...she asks about you everyday...Love you! Trish



Norma Otten
donated$50.00
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Sending you Good energy, Max, Norma



John Clark
donated$50.00
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Concentrate on the future - six months out.



Anonymous
donated$200.00
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

So sorry to hear about the accident, Max. Hope you have a speedy recovery.



MBR
donated$25.00
Wednesday, August 22, 2012



Anonymous
donatedHidden Amount
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Dang Max. This sucks!!!! I know you know exactly what to do to come back so get on that!!! Tom Cross



Amanda Woodruff
donatedHidden Amount
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

HI Max! I was so dismayed to hear about your accident. Best wishes for a speedy recovery--we need you back massaging ASAP:)



Dick and Judy R.
donatedHidden Amount
Wednesday, August 22, 2012



Charlie Bradford
donated$40.00
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Get well Max... we miss you in RPM!



Aubrey Davis-Bigelow
donated$40.00
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Hope you get better!



Jennifer Tamang
donated$25.00
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Hope you have a speedy recovery Max! So sorry this happened! Yikes



Danielle Carlson
donatedHidden Amount
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

I've never met you, Max, but family is family! Get well soon!



Anonymous
donated$20.00
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Love you guys, wishing you the speediest of recoveries. -Shea



Anonymous
donated$20.00
Tuesday, August 21, 2012



Bonnie Sullivan
donatedHidden Amount
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Max - You have given me massages over the years, as I was first sent to you by Bryon Bierma, my trainer at Borgess Fitness Center at the time. I know others who have benefited greatly by your well trained hands and knowledge. I find this move on the part of the truck driver horrifying and without conscience! I am a bike rider too, and daily consider the senseless acts of anger on the part of drivers as I ride down the roads of the Schoolcraft area. You will get better and ride again!. My prayers are with you. Bonnie



Allison Downey & John Austin
donated$200.00
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

We love you Max! Get better soon, we really need a massage!



Anne Cummings
donated$100.00
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

What a tragic event, my wishes for a full and speedy recovery. Thanks to my friend John Austin for posting this so that we can show that unlike that horrible driver, there are people in this world who care.



Penny Fenno Geishert
donated$50.00
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Hi Max, Saw your story tonight on Channel 3 news. I yelled to Ed,,,"I know him!" So sorry for what has happened to you but know you are a strong man and will heal completely. Best wishes for a steady recovery. Hugs, Penny Fenno Geishert



Joe and Marilyn Hasfurther
donated$20.00
Tuesday, August 21, 2012



Dr. Tim Peristeridis
donatedHidden Amount
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Max you are in my prayers. I wish you a speedy recovery, and return to work. I appreciate your friendship and our professional relationship as well. Take care buddy!



Anonymous
donated$25.00
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Speedy recovery to Max.



Anonymous
donatedHidden Amount
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Best wishes



spin friends
donated$25.00
Monday, August 20, 2012



Dianna Fase
donatedHidden Amount
Monday, August 20, 2012

I am sending up prayers for Max's quick and I hope not too painful recovery; and I'm hoping that the prayers for donations open up the wallets of all his many friends and friends of friends. I am forwarding this to my friends.



Harvey Brank
donated$20.00
Sunday, August 19, 2012

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