It's what family is all about

The unconditional bond of love and trust has come full circle for the family of a Independence man who suffered devastating injuries in an accident more than two years ago.

Family members of Ron Gulick, 36, have dedicated their lives to help care for him after a car crash near Kirksville, Mo., in November 2006 left the one-time avid hunter paralyzed from the shoulders down.

"It was really a hard time those first couple of months after the accident," said Gulick's older sister, Shannon Shelton, adding Gulick spent 43 days at University Hospital in Columbia before being transfered to Craig Hospital in Denver, Colo. The Craig Hospital specializes in the rehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injuries.

Shelton, a parent educator for the Parents as Teachers program in the Independence School District said she, younger sister Amanda Gulick and the Gulicks' mother, Mary, have adjusted their daily lives to help minister to Ron, who has no use of his arms or legs and uses a sip-and-puff wheelchair that he controls through his breath. The family has someone who stays each night at his home.

"We've all struggled," said Shelton, 37, and married with five children. "Our whole lives have changed. We glad he's here because it could have been a different outcome."

Mary said the family has held fundraisers to help with Ron's expenses at Quest to Walk in Overland Park. Quest to Walk is a rehabilitation center for spinal cord victims. Ron is billed $100 per hour for three two-hour therapy sessions per week, his mother said. He started the rehabilitation sessions April 7. An April 12 benefit dance at the Moose Lodge in Sugar Creek raised more than $12,000.

"It was an incredible turnout," Mary said. "There was over 300 people in attendance." 

Ron, a former pilot and hard laborer, said he has somewhat come to terms with his paralysis. He draws strength from his 6-year-old son, Jack, a kindergartener at Santa Fe Elementary School.

"Even at this second right now, I take it pretty well," he said. "I still get kind of emotional when I'm by myself. I was so fearful at first. But I wanted to watch the little guy grow up."

Amanda Gulick, 24, and a state social worker, said caring for her older brother has drawn the sibling trio closer.

"It's been kind of a blessing for me," Amanda said. "We've had the time to sit still and just focus to be content."

Amanda, who assists her brother during physical therapy, has witnessed the spirit Ron has exuded during rehabilitation sessions. That spirit, Amanda said, is a driving force for Ron.

"I know he is going to get his arms back," she said. "Five years from now, we are going to be like, 'oh wow!' "

The family says anyone wishing to contribute to the rehabilitation can send donations to: Ron Gulick's Quest to Walk Fund, c/o Central Bank, 7101 North Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, MO 64118