Watch our new video about Ed’s journey — and how and why SupportEd came to be…
On July 12th, 2022, Edward Beedle’s life was turned upside down.
Ed is our brother … our father … our husband … our friend. For so many of us, Ed has been at the center of the happiness, joy, and fun of our lives. An optimistic and joyful leader as we journey down life’s road.
While swimming in the surf of the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Ed suffered a devastating spinal injury. Instantly, he lost all feeling from his neck down. Without the swift actions of family, friends, and compassionate strangers, we would have lost him right there.
After being seen by spinal specialists and surgeons, it was clear. That day in July would be the first step of a long and difficult journey. Ed underwent surgery for a fractured vertebrae. He spent months in hospitals, receiving intensive care and physical therapy.
Two years have passed on a very long road. Everyday activities — operating a phone, using a remote, eating and drinking — are still enormous tasks to undertake.
With every advance and success comes a setback or a roadblock. With every new motion of a finger, or slight movement of a leg comes an unforeseen spasm, or infection. With every milestone achieved in physical therapy, a notice says the insurance doesn’t cover it this time.
The Need
The hard truth is that Ed and Jane face a mountain of expenses for the necessities they require:
- The vital and fundamental need for visiting medical assistance,
- Essential off-site therapy and rehabilitation five-days a week,
- Ramps, lifts, and other modifications to his home and automobiles,
- Personal accessibility equipment to navigate all the things in life that we take for granted.
Only with sustained, ongoing therapy, daily care, and the equipment needed to navigate a day-to-day life, can any real recovery take place — and unfortunately, insurance covers only a fraction of these expenses, or the coverage limits have been met:
Through it all, Ed — along with his wife, Jane — fights this battle with an amazing positive attitude and extraordinary spirit. To those of us that know and love him — this is no surprise. Throughout his life Ed has always brought us together with his joy and positivity.
We must continue to come together for him.
Our fundraising efforts started with a GoFundMe campaign shortly after his accident. To the hundreds of people who have been a part of that giving effort you have our eternal thanks. The GoFundMe lives on, and is a vital part of Ed’s continuing recovery.
SupportEd
Now, we are adding a second element to our fundraising efforts. One that we hope brings the power of joy, creativity, music, and laughter to the forefront — bringing people together, raising money through the generous, magical gift of creativity:
Support Ed: The Concert Series to Benefit Ed Beedle.
Please explore this site to learn more, and come back here often as the Support Ed effort grows to find out how you can be part of this special event.
With love,
The Beedle Family and Friends.