NORTH CAROLINA YOUTH SWIMMER TO SWIM 24-HOURS, 30-MILES, TO FUNDRAISE $30,000 FOR SHEPHERD CENTER PATIENT ASSISTANCE FUND.
On July 22, 2019, North Carolina State Trooper, Chris Wooten was in a terrible accident. Hit and thrown from his motorcycle, Chris was found fighting for his life. He was transported to Carolina Medical Center and soon diagnosed with a complete spinal cord injury. After gaining enough strength, Chris was later transported to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA., where he would spend more than six months recovering, with his wife Sharon always by his side.
Chris’s near-fatal accident and his path to recovery have affected many lives, especially his family. “Everything changed in an instant” recalled Chris’s brother-in-law, Michael Sever. “The magnitude of the life-changing impact is incomprehensible until it’s thrust upon you.”
Cooper Sever, Chris’s 16-year young nephew was also very moved by his uncle’s situation. Cooper, a competitive swimmer from Salisbury, North Carolina wanted to help. “A couple of weeks ago, he came to me with an idea to swim for 24-hours – like an ultra swim-a-thon,” said Michael. His idea quickly transformed into a 24-hour, 30-mile swim, with a goal is to fundraise $30,000 for Shepherd Center Patient Assistance Fund. The fund provides financial assistance to patients with spinal cord injury for medical goods, prescriptions, and other related services.
The charity swim event will be held at Eaman Park Pool in Salisbury. It begins at 6 pm, July 21, and ends at 6 pm, July 22. Cooper is no stranger to swimming, but swimming 24-hours will be especially challenging. “My uncle has overcome more challenges than my swim, that’s what keeps me going, that’s what keeps me pushing,” said Cooper.
Please help us share this story of hope. Information and donations can be made at:
https://www.shepherd.org/giving/swim-243
Facebook @swim243
Contact Michael Sever, 401-439-1441, vmsever@gmail.com
Facebook @swim243
