I usually use this column to promote comics, films, toys, and other geek and sundry, but this week I wanted to do something different. My younger brother Eric was in a terrible motorcycle accident last week, t-boned by an SUV. My editor-in-chief, Robert, and I witnessed the whole thing, as we were just leaving for a press screening (which we never ended up at). It all happened in slow-motion. The SUV missed his bike by inches, but took his leg head on, destroying the tibia and causing him to lose his balance and drop the bike. He’s still in the hospital as I write this, awaiting a second surgery on his leg some time in the next week. He has had a blood transfusion, and was placed on oxygen the other night, and over all this has been a horrible experience, one that he has never dealt with before. He’s going to have months of physical therapy, and won’t be able to go back to work for a long time.
The accident could have been much worse, something I am quite thankful for, but he is far from being out of the woods. My brother does have insurance, but his out of pocket costs will still be quite large after two surgeries, and a number of weeks in the hospital. He has plenty of friends giving him support, and a wonderful girlfriend standing by his side, but he could use so much more. My mother has always said that we are all one catastrophe away from homelessness, and while this isn’t that catastrophe for Eric, the burden being placed on him for medical bills, on top of not being able to work for the foreseeable future, is quite daunting.
Eric giving FanboyNation a thumbs up.
Here’s where you come in. We have started a gofundme.com page for him, and if you can donate anything, every penny helps, I, and my brother, would greatly appreciate it. Or, if you’d like to get something for your money, feel free to go to my brother’s beard/haircare website, http://www.lumberjacksandjill.com/, and buy some beard oil, shampoo, conditioner, or something else. My brother is one of the most giving people I have ever met, always there to help out a friend in need, and he never asks for anything in return. It kills him a little to have to ask for help. I have seen time and again how this community has rallied around comic creators in their time of need, lending support both emotionally and financially, and though not a comic creator, I would love to see this same support happen for my brother. On behalf of Eric, thank you for any support you can give.
My brother surrounded by a bunch of jerks.
