Pool injury leads to paralysis
By Holly Neumann
Memorial Day was a day that ended in tragedy for a Manawa family.
After a long day of cutting wood, Don Tohm’s family decided to cool off in their swimming pool.
“I was in first,” Don’s wife, Kara, said. “I heard Don behind me talking to our nephew and telling him how to make a large splash. I heard the splash and I turned around to see him (Don) doing an abnormal paddle swim, but his head was not coming out of the water.”
For a split-second, Kara thought he was messing around with the kids.
“In an instant, I knew something was wrong,” she said. “I swam across the pool to him and I lifted his head from the water and asked if he was OK.”
Don struggled to get out the words, “I need help.”
That day has changed the family’s lives forever, as Don is now living as a quadriplegic.
“Don’s injury was a spinal cord compression at the C6 and C7 vertebrae of the cervical spine,” Kara said. “One vertebrae slipped under the other, causing it to compress the cord.”
Surgery moved the vertebrae back in to the correct location, but the damage was already done, as this left Don paralyzed from the upper chest down.
Don has feeling and sensation below his injury level, but no voluntary movement.
He has full movement and range of motion in his arms, chest and shoulders and can move his wrists, but he has no finger dexterity, grip or pinch.
“He can feel his fingers, he just can’t move them,” Kara said.
Don also has no voluntary movement in his legs or feet. They do react to stimulus and he can feel sensation to his toes, but he cannot make them move.
Moving forward
“We knew life was going to be different,” Kara said. “All we can do is work hard to move forward and try to do it as positively as we can.”
Prior to his injury, Don had worked at Waupaca Foundry for 18 years, but his injuries have forced him to retire.
“He was a hard worker, a provider,” Kara said. “He was always the guy who took the overtime. He always showed up and worked hard. We just don’t have a choice right now. Maybe someday he will work again.”
The family is struggling without Don’s income.
“It is a long six-month wait from the injury date to get approved for Social Security disability and start getting some income relief,” Kara said. “Don was approved right away, but the waiting period just ended and he will qualify as of December.”
Kara credited the foundry for being the family’s saving grace.
“They have walked me through every process of this mess from short-term disability to long-term disability to dealing with the insurance companies,” she said. “They have been nothing but fabulous to us from day one.”
Making adjustments
The tools needed to care for Don on a daily basis are expensive. The biggest concern right now is getting Don around inside and outside of their home.
“Insurance only covers so much,” Kara said. “We were able to build a ramp in our garage, but not able to get our vehicles in the garage because of the size. We would like to get a lift to conserve garage space and to be able to safely get him in and out of our vehicles in the safety of the garage, not out in the driveway with the elements.”
Adjustments are also needed in their bathroom facilities as well. Kara is able to shower Don, but not without leaving bumps and bruises on his knees.
“The equipment and setup is too confined to allow him to get in and out safely,” she said. “The floors and I are soaked at the end, causing slipping hazards.”
Don can only access three rooms in the family’s ranch-style home.
“We have a full, mostly finished basement, but he has no way to access it from the inside of the house,” Kara said. “We are hoping to make changes to allow us to put in a lift to get him to the basement. Mental health-wise, this would be huge, as it would open up the house to him.”
A handicapped-accessible vehicle is also needed.
“This would open up a world of possibilities on getting to therapy, doctor appointments and kids’ games safely and without damage or extra pressure on his skin,” Kara said.
Eventually Don will be able to drive, which would allow him to be more independent.
“Man, I want this for him so badly, but accessible vans are very expensive and even if you can get a vehicle loan for the vehicle, you still have to pay cash for the conversion,” Kara said.
Asking for help
She admitted it is extremely hard to ask for help. Anyone wishing to help the Tohms can drop off donations at any Community First Credit Union location, in care of Kara Tohm, Tohm Family Recovery Fund.
“We have realized, though, that this injury is not something that we can get through on our own,” she said. “It takes an army of dedicated people to make sure that Don gets what he needs. I just want to make sure that he has the basics and can do what others do every day and take for granted.”
For now, the family is still adjusting to their new normal.
Kara continues to work 32 hours a week outside the home while doing all of Don’s care on her own, raising three children and running a household.
“At the end of the day, I just want people to know how much I love this man and that I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that he and my family are taken care of,” she said. “With the proper tools, modifications and a vehicle, we would be able to just get back to living again.”