Stand with Thomas Peters today—and help him in his on-going recovery

As many CWR readers will remember, last July Catholic blogger and pro-marriage advocate Thomas Peters was critically injured in a diving accident. He has made incredible progress in his recovery in the last four months, and just a few weeks ago was able to move out of rehab and back home with his wife, Natalie. Earlier this month he published some thoughts on his injury (typed using one knuckle of one finger on a touchscreen!), as well as the spiritual journey that has accompanied his physical recovery:

A major accident is an invitation to both physical and spiritual recovery. I have never felt God’s presence as much as I do since the accident. People will say that accidents like mine should call into question God’s mercy or even His existence. But for me, the fact that I survived my injury is the greatest evidence I have ever experienced of God’s mercy and providence. I believe God allowed my accident to happen and that He chose to help me survive that accident and every day gives me the opportunity to be blessed through it. …

The accident has taught me to be more humble and realistic about my own efforts and contributions. Before my accident I took pride in my self-reliance, and my ability to contribute to the causes I care about, and I still do, but since the accident I have gained a far greater appreciation for the fact that everything I do and am is because of the Lord. I certainly didn’t bring myself back from the brink of death and, as a wise priest told me, my prayers and sacrifices these weeks and months have done more to aid the causes of life, marriage and religious freedom than anything I wrote, said or did to promote these prior to the accident.

According to Thomas’ doctors, the window for recovery from a spinal cord injury is generally six months. Thomas has about two months left in this period, and the amount of mobility he is able to recover will depend in part upon the amount of physical therapy he is able to undergo—and afford—in those two months.

To this end, Thomas’ friends are having a “social media-thon” today (using the hashtag #IStandWithThomasPeters) to raise funds to help Thomas and Natalie cover medical expenses, with a goal of $25,000. In addition to further physical therapy, they are hoping to raise money to help the couple pay for:

Health insurance

Manual wheelchair co-payment

Renting a motorized wheelchair – transitional

Hospital bed

Prescriptions and medical supplies

Home health aide 3x a week

Handicapped accessible apartment

Expenses and miscellaneous bills

Thomas has been an important voice for the defense of marriage and of the rights of the unborn, and his American Papist blog and social media presence were a big part of the Catholic new media boom. I’ve known him since childhood, and I hope CWR readers will consider contributing to his recovery financially and—more importantly—through prayer.

The couple has been asking for the particular intercession of St. Jude during Thomas’ recovery, asking friends and family to say this prayer to the Patron Saint of Desperate Situations and Hopeless Causes:

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,  the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult  cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly – (make your request here) – and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be  ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as  my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen