2020 BILL'S STORY

Bill’s Story

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October 20, 2018 began as a beautiful and bright morning.  After I took the dog for a quick walk, my wife Michelle and I excitedly headed off to visit our son in Madison.

These are the last memories I have of that day.  Eight days later, I awoke from a coma to find myself in a hospital bed wondering what had happened and why my beautiful wife was not at my bedside. I then learned that shortly after leaving home that fateful morning a strong wind caused a tree to fall directly on our SUV. I learned that the accident killed my funny, witty wife instantly. I learned that my life would never be the same.

 I was also told that I had undergone the first of many surgeries at Froedtert Hospital. During that 13+ hour ordeal and subsequent procedures, the surgeons were able to stop the hemorrhaging in my brain, re-attach my right ear, fuse three vertebrae in my neck, and perform a tracheotomy to keep me breathing.  The doctors also repaired the fractured radius and ulna bones in my right arm, five broken fingers, and three torn tendons in my left shoulder rotator cuff. 

However, the trauma to my spinal cord permanently took away my ability to walk. My new reality includes two physical therapy sessions per week as well as ongoing doctor appointments.  Before the accident I made my living as a high school mathematics teacher, and although I hope to someday return to teaching, it will not be easy.  In the meantime, I try to find my purpose for surviving the accident by volunteering as a math tutor at the school where I worked before the accident.

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We at Porcaro Family Charities admire Bill for his resilience in the face of this misfortune. We understand that Bill is going to need additional financial support as he recovers and the proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards easing his economic burden. Porcaro Family Charities sincerely thanks you for your participation in this cause.

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Proceeds from our golf outing this year will benefit Bill Martin.