Rare reaction paralyzes veteran

Tim Gardipee served 32 years in the Army, including deployments to five combat zones.

He had already started the process to retire when he went to get a flu shot in December 2012. Gardipee had an “incredibly rare” reaction to the vaccine, his brother Don Blatt said.

Gardipee was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, which according to the National Institutes of Health, is a neurological disorder caused by inflammation across both sides of one level, or segment, of the spinal cord.

Blatt said his brother was initially paralyzed below the neck, but his condition has improved.

Now he has limited movement of his arms and hands but can barely move his legs, Blatt said.

Blatt said his brother is able get around town using the trail system when the weather is good and the trails are clear, but he’s on a mission to raise money to purchase a van that would enable Gardipee to drive using his hands.

The van was used by another disabled veteran, and the family reduced the asking price knowing it would go to another disabled veteran, Blatt said.

“By luck, this van was set up so that he can do the driving with his hands,” Blatt said. “This van is set up exactly how my brother’s condition is going to work for him.”

But it still costs about $10,000.

Blatt set up an online fundraising campaign and a VFW post in Missoula recently contributed $500. In the last few weeks, he’s raised about $2,000 toward the purchase of the van.

Gardipee is a Chinook native and now lives in Missoula. Blatt lives in Great Falls.

The Department of Veterans Affairs denied his first application for disability benefits, but now the Wounded Warrior Project, a national nonprofit, has taken up Gardipee’s cause and is helping him file an appeal, Blatt said.

Since Gardipee isn’t 60, he can’t collect his retirement and without the VA benefits, he’s mostly restricted to his wheelchair.

Blatt said the VA has provided good medical care but he’s frustrated with the time it’s taking to get his brother’s disability benefits.

“But I understand where they’re coming from,” he said. “It’s incredibly rare and need proper documentation.”

Blatt said he’s trying to get the van to improve his brother’s quality of life, so he’ll be able to get more places on his own when he needs to.

“He didn’t want me to do the van, he doesn’t want charity,” Blatt said of his brother. “He told me ‘I’m a disabled vet, if I had my benefits I wouldn’t need to ask for help.’”

Online

Learn more about Tim or donate at http://www.gofundme.com/lgrvos