On March 3, 2025, our lives changed forever. My husband, Gene Russ, suffered a devastating accident while working as a subcontractor for Davey Resource Group, Inc. (contracted with Duke Energy). While pulling old power poles, Gene was critically injured, leaving him a quadriplegic—paralyzed from the shoulders down.
Gene spent one month in the ICU at ORMC in Orlando, FL, followed by five months at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA, where he has been fighting every single day with incredible courage.
We are now living in a temporary home in Atlanta, TWO+ hours away from our permanent home, since Gene can no longer return to the two-story house we previously owned, where all of the living space was upstairs.
While workers’ compensation covers his medical care, many urgent needs are not covered, including:
- Hiring help to move buildings, sheds, and all of our belongings into storage at our current residence/property, we can no longer live at.
- Purchasing a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, so Gene can regain independence beyond medical visits
- Selling our bowrider boat AND 45' fifth-wheel camper, which Gene can no longer access or use.
- Covering everyday expenses, since Julie is no longer working to provide full-time care
- Building a safe and accessible forever home where Gene can live with dignity
- Hiring movers again once the new home is complete
- MUCH MUCH MORE...
We are reaching out to our community, friends, and kind-hearted supporters to help us through this overwhelming journey. Please share.
💙 Every donation—no matter the size—brings us one step closer to getting Gene back home and rebuilding our lives, where Gene drastically WANTS to be!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love, generosity, and prayers. Your support gives us hope in the hardest of times.
With gratitude,
Gene & Julie Russ
PayPal- @GeneJulieRuss
Venmo- @Julie_Russ
Cash app- https://cash.app/$Deckover
