On Oct. 1 Mike Requa was routinely cutting down a large tree on his Edgecomb property and it snagged the tree next to it which instantly snapped it off and freakishly struck him from behind, leaving him with multiple life threatening injuries. He was transported by Life Flight to Maine Medical Center for emergency surgery. The tree burst his T6/T7 vertebrae and they fused his entire thoracic spine. The force broke his scapula, clavicle, sternum, multiple ribs, tibia, and fibula, and he also suffered severe internal injuries including a collapsed lung, blood clot and perforated intestine.

The days thereafter, were flooded with complications and two additional surgeries. Within days, Mike learned that he might not walk again. All his life, Mike has been a resolutely self-reliant, hard-working, independent individual, both in his personal life and in his career as a highly respected Maine boat captain with a 100-ton Merchant Marine Masters’ rating. Through moments of grief and regret, ultimately Mike chose to embrace the news with humility and gratitude. He also, of course, in true Mike fashion, has proclaimed that he will walk again. He has been in a hospital setting for 74 days and looks forward to coming home soon with a lot of nursing and Home Health Care.

The accident has delivered a massive blow not only to Mike physically, but also to the family’s financial situation. They continue to navigate the complexities of Medicare and supplemental insurance coverage, but find themselves facing a bottomless pile of uncovered medical equipment and medical expenses. Even with Mike's unprecedented spirits, the road ahead is long and unknown. The layers of COVID-19 have further complicated his care plan and options. Most importantly, we don't think his chances of being able to walk again should be dictated by what insurance will or won't cover. He has six grandchildren to chase around and a deep desire to live the life he feels ever fortunate to have.

The Requa and Nickerson families have started a Go Fund Me page: https://bit.ly/3mhRyKz