In the aftermath of a tragic crash that claimed the lives of two young men in the United States, the family of one of the two survivors – a former Combermere student and national tennis player – is pleading for help to fund travel and urgent healthcare.
Nathanael Gilkes, 18, a student of the Marion Military Institute in Alabama, sustained several serious injuries in the March 23 crash, including brain bleeds, multiple spinal fractures, dislocations, compound fractures, broken ribs, and punctured lungs.
His parents, Ralph and LeeAnne York, said they are facing daunting financial challenges as they grapple with the impending medical expenses as well as the steep costs of travel and constant care required for their son.
“We were told to expect the worst because he was initially ventilator dependent but thankfully has been on the recovery journey,” said Ralph York. “The doctors said it’s because Nate was so fit as an athlete that saved his life.”
Gilkes, a former national junior tennis player and Barbados age group doubles champion, is currently a US Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet on a tennis scholarship at Marion.
Recalling the news about the accident as “a call no parent wants to hear”, York told Barbados TODAY that he and his wife learned about the accident nearly 24 hours after it happened.
“We heard that he was found 57 yards away from the vehicle because of the impact, so they found it difficult to identify the passengers immediately. We got the first call from the president of the academy and then we received another from the Alabama State Troopers with more details. Nate was on intensive tennis training at his college. He and his friends were leaving the academy to get food and while on their way, the vehicle somehow left the road, impacting several trees. Both the driver and the front passenger were killed,” he said.
“He is finally out of intensive care and is being moved [Tuesday] to the intensive Spain Rehab Unit at University of Alabama Medical Centre, Birmingham. He’s still very ill but heading in the right direction,” York explained.
He revealed that while medical expenses may later become a concern, the majority of their costs now stem from travel expenses incurred as they strive to be by his side.
“My wife and I temporarily relocated to the United Kingdom to facilitate the education of our youngest son. Nate’s older sister and grandparents are still living in Barbados. His sister travelled immediately to be here while he was in the ICU and I arrived a few days later as he needs around-the-clock care and will for a few more months,” the father explained.
With his condition still somewhat precarious, Gilkes’s family is appealing to the public to help ease the financial strain. They have set up a GoFundMe account and are also holding fundraisers, as the majority of their current costs stem from travel expenses incurred to be by his side for his recovery.
According to York, the family has so far been able to raise just over US $20 000 (BDS $40 000), more than half of which has already been exhausted in associated medical costs.
“It has really been a rollercoaster but we are holding on to faith. We appreciate the support in prayers and donations so far,” he said.
In addition to the GoFundMe account – gofundme.com/f/let-get-nathanael-well-again – those wishing to assist are asked to contact the family by email at leeannecyork@gmail.com or rjryork@gmail.com.
