About Sergio

Born in Argentina, Sergio Acevedo, a Bellmore, LI Resident, had always loved to be “one with nature”. Surfing during the summer, mountain biking during the fall, snow boarding during the winter, Sergio has always enjoyed sports. On November 5th, 2005, Sergio’s life changed drastically. While enjoying the last run of the mountain biking season, Sergio decided to go down the mountain one last time and then get home to celebrate his niece’s 2nd birthday. As he was coming down the mountain, the front wheel of his bike hit a large rock forcing him over the handlebars and projecting him head first into a tree. He was airlifted to the nearest trauma center, Bassett Hospital, in Cooperstown, New York.

Sergio suffered and was treated for C-3 - C-5 Spinal Cord Injury leaving him paralyzed from the shoulders down, otherwise known as Complete Quadriplegic. He has lost all use of his arms and legs. He had surgery where the injured vertebrae fused with steel plates and screws. Sergio was placed on a ventilator due to the lack of functioning muscles to help control his breathing. He was then fitted with a tracheotomy that aided in ventilation and would allow for easier transport. The doctors, impressed with his physical condition, felt that since he was so athletic it would help in the recovery process. After receiving wonderful care from the staff and doctors at Bassett Hospital, Sergio was transferred to Mt. Sinai Medical Rehabilitation Center, New York City. There he began an aggressive regimen of rehabilitation and PT. During his stay at Mt. Sinai, Sergio worked with amazing, inspiring therapists who helped strengthen him physically and mentally. He even had his tracheotomy removed, which is one small battle in this never-ending war.

Unfortunately, his medical insurance ran out while he was still waiting to receive Medicaid and he was transferred to a nursing home that caters to the elderly, not to people with spinal cord injuries. He is currently not receiving aggressive therapy and is sharing his time with people who do not have much time left in their own lives. The family hopes that his stay at this nursing home will be a temporary one as they do not have the means to provide Sergio with appropriate housing. The waiting lists for government housing is anywhere from three to five years. Before the accident, Sergio and his mother shared a third floor, walk-up apartment in Howard Beach, NY. Now his mother can not independently afford to live in the apartment and Sergio can not physically return. Sergio has been left without a home and his mother has been living with friends and family on Long Island.

At the age of 31, he has an adult’s body, but the optimism and charm of a teenager. He is a fighter! He is learning every day how to cope with his disabilities. He has encountered a crisis that would seem insurmountable to most.

Sergio now has Medicaid and long-term disability insurance covering his medical needs for life, but this does not cover his adaptive needs to function in the every day world. With adaptive technology, Sergio would be able to use a computer, speak on the phone and operate the everyday household items that we take for granted. All contributions given would be directly used to provide Sergio with proper housing and the ability to adapt his home to all his basic needs (e.g. ramps, voice activated technology, lifts if necessary, transportation, widening of doorways, bathroom adaptations, etc.).

To help offset such expenses, Sergio’s family and friends have come together to establish a fundraising campaign in his honor. We need all the help we can get! Together we can make a difference to assist Sergio during this challenging time. All contributions have to be made in his mother’s name, Rosa Acevedo, who is also his Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy. This will allow him to continue to receive Medicaid.

Thank you for your time and consideration of our family’s needs. If we can provide you with any other information, please feel free to contact us.

Contact Information:
David Acevedo (brother) 516-809-5679
227 North Richmond Avenue
Massapequa, New York 11758

Estimated Itemized Bill

• Housing (to purchase) - 500,000
• Power Wheel Chair (Head Array) to be operated with head movement - 15,000
• Hands free computer - 8,000
• Customized Transportation Vehicle - 30,000
• Voice activated units 50,000 (which activate lights, answer telephone open door, etc)
• Customize bathroom (lift, widening, etc.) 30,000
• Bedroom equipment (hospital bed with Gel air filled mattress and lift) 10,000
• Hard wiring the house for remote Control adaptations 25,000

Estimated Total $ 668,000

You can help make a difference.