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July 26th, 2007 - This day will be remembered by Hal for the rest of his Life
Hal woke up early on this day to drive a load of remodel supplies to crews working in Las Vegas NV. He drove up I-15 and pulled over at a rest stop to ensure the load was secured properly. He left the Barstow area and as he approached the Minneola Rd exit, he noticed in the distance an object on the road. As he got closer, he could tell that it was a large piece of tire tread in his path. He veered to the right shoulder to miss this tread and while correcting to come back on to the road lost control of the truck.
The truck rolled four times before coming to a stop. Hal was trapped in the crushed cab for 40 minutes before he was airlifted by Life Flight to Arrowhead Regional Hospital in Colton, CA.
Hal broke his neck, broke his scapula...there was tendon damage to his right shoulder. He fractured T1-2 Vertebrae - with the most damaging injury to the Spinal Cord at the C5/C6 level.
Arrowhead Regional Performed an eight hour surgery in order to install permanent plates/screws on the front and back of his neck. He remained at Arrowhead Regional battling a strong case of pneumonia and a collapsed lung well into the first week of August.
His next journey from Arrowhead Regional was on to Casa Colina, a fantastic facility where he spent 63 days as an Acute Patient soon to be released to Outpatient Recovery.
Hal's recovery to date would not have been possible without the incredible amount of support that has been provided by his family and friends. Please click on the "Thank You" link to read a few messages from the Hargrave Family.
Hal's emotional and mental outlook is fantastic - despite the situation. He is a strong young man, very outgoing. Hal graduated from High School and was looking forward to continuing school at Long Beach University - looking towards the future.
Hal knows what the doctors have said, that there is a 1-3% chance that he would walk again. He knows what the data states. His recovery will be long, hard, cruel, intense, painful, and rewarding all at the same time. He will focus on the 1-3% chance to walk. It will be much harder than landing a back flip on a wakeboard, or pitching an 83mph fastball or benching 315lbs as has been some of his favorite things to do. But if there is anybody that has the strength to persevere through such incredible obstacles, Its Lil Hal Hargrave!
The Be Perfect Foundation
“Being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It's not about winning. It's about you and your relationship with yourself, your family and your friends. Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didnt let them down because you told them the truth. And that truth is you did everything you could. There wasnt one more thing you could've done. Can you live in that moment as best you can, with clear eyes, and love in your heart, with joy in your heart? If you can do that gentleman - you're perfect!”
~ Quote from Friday Night Lights (2004)
Webster's defines "Perfect" as flawless, One as flawless.
Hal began to think of "Be Perfect" during his training for Baseball as a pitcher. There was found
an inspiration that to this day has helped Hal achieve his goals. YOU KNOW IT'S IN YOU - BE PERFECT!
The "Be Perfect" Foundation is an idea Hal Hargrave had during his stay at Casa Colina after his traumatic injuries. During his recovery now at Project Walk and The Claremont Club/Casa Colina Club, the Hargrave's have been exposed to many SCI victims that do not have the financial means to cover all costs Recovery. There remains much to battle financially along side the battle towards recovery, and some more than others need immediate assistance from those that are able!
Lifetime costs for spinal cord injuries can total over $2.5 million per victim. In most cases, insurance only covers 50-65% of these costs over a lifetime. 13 Thousand SCI victims are added each year. Quick math will show a huge financial burden for most SCI victims that far exceeds a return to an active lifestyle.
Project Walk/The Claremont Club uses exercise-based recover and presently, this is not covered by Insurance COS. The average annual cost for recovery at Project Walk/ The Claremont Club is between $25K to $45K a year per victim – BUT YOU CAN HELP THE BATTLE!
Hal’s determination to recovery and the heart to help others will make all things impossible, possible! Help make this happen for others today.
There are many SCI Victims out there that NEED YOUR HELP! We ask you to please help those in need your own way, whether it is a heartfelt prayer, or the calling of a financial donation - we thank you for contributing towards something very special that is really making a difference. In it’s first 20 months of existence, The Be Perfect Foundation has been able to keep 30 SCI friends in recovery, has purchased 10 wheel chairs, and provided much needed guidance and emotional support to many. This is all possible by many different donors and friends of the Foundation.
The Be Perfect Foundation just held our 2nd Annual Event Fundraiser and had over 800 people attend the beautiful Hafif Estate in La Verne, CA. We were blessed to have Dr. Hans Keirstead as our featured speaker from the Reeve-Irvine Stem Cell Research Center. We are already in the planning stages for our 3rd Annual Be Perfect Foundation too… Hope to see you there!
“To restore hope, expand knowledge, and advance personal independence through a holistic,excercised-based approach to spinal cord injury recovery.”
Thanks and Love to all that have supported, donated, and helped so many.
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