Hello,
My name is Kris Johnson and I am quadriplegic. I have been paralyzed from my chest down for a little over 16 years.
On May 21st of 2000 I was riding a 3-wheeler just outside of Tucson Arizona, it was a very hot day and obviously I had not drank enough water because as I was riding, probably going 40-50 MPH I blacked out due to dehydration. When I did I veered off the trail and hit a tree. The front tire hit the trunk dead center throwing me forward hitting the top of my head on the trunk of the mesquite tree. It broke four vertebrae in my neck one of which pinched my spinal cord leaving me paralyzed. It also broke 3 ribs and punctured my left lung in 3 places.
Luckily, my friend Jason was waiting at the truck and he said that he heard the engine stop abruptly so he knew that I had either crashed or the 3-wheeler broke down so he came looking for me immediately. He found me sitting on the 3-wheeler with a severe head injury, bleeding severely and clinging to life.
We were so far out in the desert that Jason didn't have reception on his cellphone so he had to load me in the back of his truck by himself. Then we had to drive down a rough dirt road for several miles. Jason finally got reception, (thank god) called for help and the helicopter met us at the main road. (tangerine road) and I was air-vacked. Jason absolutely saved my life!
As many of you know, before my accident I was very active! Doing a lot of camping, hiking, mountain biking, dirt biking and building and racing my 1968 dodge dart. One of my favorite things to do was to stay after work at the shop and work on my race car.
Since my accident I have dreamt of building another engine and putting it into a classic mopar muscle car! My sister's ex husband Joe is like a brother to me, he wants to learn how to build an engine so he bought a complete used Dodge 440 engine and a 727 torqueflite transmission. We already got an engine stand and an engine hoist. My dad has agreed to help me get a car to put the engine in.
I'm simply asking my friends, family and anyone who is willing to help out to donate what they can to help me make this project happen and make my dream a reality.
Being quadriplegic I live in a nursing home and they take the majority of my money. I'm only left with $50.00 per month which doesn't allow me to do very much at all!
My brother (Joe) will be paying for part of the expenses, I just want to be able to help out and pay my part.
Money donated will help pay for machine work on the block/heads and the parts needed to make my "final build" happen. I can't tell you how much I would appreciate your help!
Thanks for reading my story and for your donations!
God bless you all!