PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 News) - An
entire community rallied together in Provo Friday night to help a
young father paralyzed in a tragic accident.
Michael Kemp, just 26 years old with a young wife and two kids, was
working construction when the scaffolding he was standing on collapsed
and he fell. Michael tells ABC 4, “I don’t remember how I landed but I
landed wrong.” Michael’s brother Greg remembers the moment. “I heard
Mike go down and my heart stopped. I instantly knew it was bad,” said
Greg.
Michael was paralyzed from the waist down. His wife Michelle recalls
the heart-wrenching moment in the hospital when she realized how bad
it was. “The word paraplegic was shouted out in the hospital in
connection with my husband. That was a shock,” she said.
Michael is home now and he and his family are hoping for a miracle, a
miracle that he may someday walk again. But the real miracle is how
the community has come together to support this young family. His
brother Greg tells ABC 4, “Mike has people pulling for him all across
the nation. People have really stepped up. Some heartfelt sacrifices
made on behalf of Mike and his family.”
Out of tragedy comes hope and a reminder of what life is really about.
“It pulls people together. It makes you think about what your
relationships really mean to you” said his brother Greg. And as
Michael is overwhelmed with the outpouring of generosity tells ABC 4,
“It’s been amazing, amazing to feel the love of everyone. It’s
overwhelming and I’m grateful.”
What makes Friday night’s auction unique are the items that have been
donated. Not only are there your typical gift baskets and spa
get-a-ways but this auction has a cherry red classic Chevy truck, four
wheelers, a scooter, Lasik eye surgery, hand crafted log beds, hunting
expeditions and an adventure seeker’s mountain lion and cougar chase.
Organizers are hoping to raise enough funds from the auction to help
pay the Kemp’s medical bills and build them a one-level home with
wheelchair access. For more information visit their website
www.mandmkemp.blogspot.com.
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