Tarome Fowler

For the past 30 years Tarome Fowler has been an HVAC service technician, and was employed at CB Lucas Heating and Cooling in Woodbridge, Virginia. Prior to that he worked as an engineer operator at Washington National Baseball Park where he maintained all of the heating and cooling systems at the stadium. On June 16, 2014 Tarome walked into a Fredericksburg, Virginia hospital for a relatively routine nerve surgery in the area between his C2 and C6 vertebrae. While the surgery was in a sensitive area, doctors were planning for a full recovery with very minimal downtime. At most, they figured Tarome would only need to wear a neck brace for a few months.

Following the surgery, doctors told Tarome that with intense physical therapy he would be back to full duty. In July and August he had 2 additional surgeries, but unfortunately neither of these procedures restored Tarome’s ability to walk. He spent much of the rest of the year in either a hospital or in rehab facility, but has not been able to regain full motion in his upper body or the ability to walk. One friend said of Tarome, “He is a dedicated family man trying to get healthy enough to live a normal life. I can’t believe that someone I’ve known for years and consider a brother is in this terrible situation. To watch him work so hard and lose all mobility truly hurts our hearts.” His church and a gofundme page helped Tarome with medical bills and of the cost of in-home care following his surgeries. Compounding his problems however was the fact that his car had major engine problems, and he didn’t have any way of getting around. Tarome was referred to us through the Christopher Reeve foundation, and he contacted us asking for assistance with his vehicle.

The foundation was able to help Tarome find and replace the engine in his car as well as correct some other issues. Now Tarome’s daughter or brother can help him get around, and he is evaluating a variety of employment opportunities!