Concert, 5K for injured Boonton Marine

As an injured Marine endures a long road to recovery, fundraisers continue to help pay his medical expenses, including a concert this Saturday and a 5K in the fall.

Kyle Chappell, 26, of Boonton was injured in April when he was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle to work in Denville.

Chappell spent months in intensive care after suffering numerous serious injuries including an internal decapitation – a typically fatal injury where the skull separates from the spinal column – a dissected aorta, two collapsed lungs, a lacerated liver, kidney, spleen, a fractured femur, and extensive injuries to his legs which led to an amputation of his left leg below the knee.

To help cover his medical costs and what is expected to be at least a year of physical therapy, Chappell’s friend Adam Gray set up a Go Fund Me page, which has raised about $55,000.

When Chappell woke from his coma weeks after the accident, he didn’t remember the crash, or even the morning before the accident.

“The fundraising was kind of a secret to me when I woke up at first, because I didn’t have a phone and I couldn’t see what’s going on online,” Chappell said. “When I found out Adam did it I thought ‘this is kind of lame, people aren’t going to care.’ But then I saw it was at $30,000. That’s a lot of people. And people are still donating today.”

Bucher said it’s been incredible to read the messages and letters people have sent for her son. She recalled one letter Chappell got from Jake, a four-year-old in South Jersey, who called Chappell his hero and sent him $6.

“Just the sentiment. Perfect strangers taking the time to send these,” Chappell said. “Knowing Kyle has inspired so many people. He brings out the best in them.”

Chappell left the Morristown Medical Center in late May, entering the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange where he’s been in physical therapy ever since.

Bucher said there were a couple of setbacks that sent him back to the hospital temporarily, including treatment for a pressure wound and issues with a feeding tube in his stomach, but overall he’s continued to improve.

“It was hard to start rehab and realize all he couldn’t do,” Bucher said. “But now he’s in and out of the car on his own. From day one to now, it’s incredible how he’s improved. Night and day.”

Chappell is waiting for his left leg to heal more before he can be fit for a prosthetic, and he is still uncertain about the extent of the nerve damage in his right foot and ankle.

Chappell does not know if he will regain full feeling in his right foot and ankle, but he occasionally gets “twitches of pain” in the area, which is a good sign.

“With spinal cord and nerve damage, it’s all about time and everyone is different,” Chappell’s mother Jennifer Bucher said. “We feared the worst, and we don’t know everything yet. But he’s already been able to overcome so much.”

He’s also seen an eye specialist, and is a candidate for a surgery in a few months to repair optic nerve damage in his right eye.

Chappell recalled recently leaving Kessler to attend a wedding, but being unable to navigate his wheelchair on the grass.

“I’m realizing how many places are hard to get into,” Chappell said. “If there’s more than one step, I’m out. So I’m going to be depending on friends and family.”

Still, he’s significantly better than where he was when he entered rehab, and has moved from a motorized to a manual wheelchair.

“I’m surprising a lot of people at physical therapy,” Chappell said. “I think they’re running out of things for me to learn.”

Chappell says he’s able to do pushups and other physical activities, but it’s frustrating to start from “rock bottom” after being in great physical condition.

“I traded my strength for being alive,” Chappell said. “In the Marines I could do infinite pushups, but now I started at an infant level and have to come back.”

Chappell said he thinks the fact that he was fit and healthy saved his life and helped his recovery, but he’s frustrated he may not be able to return to that level.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be in a wheelchair. They say six months to a year after I get my prosthetic,” Chappell said. “But even after that it’s just not going to be the same.”

Chappell said he has to remind himself to be careful and patient so he doesn’t further injure himself and extend his recovery, but it can be hard.

“This is a guy who would up and run five miles just on a burst of energy,” Bucher said.

To continue raising money, Gray has organized a benefit concert for Chappell, this Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Elks Club, 125 Cornelia St. in Boonton Twp.

Chappell plans to attend the concert, which will double as a party with his family and friends.

The singer and bands performing all include at least one of Chappell’s friends, Alison Wolfer, Ice Cream Social, Hot Pink Apocalypse, The CRAFT Band, and The Defending Champions.

“I’ve seen their shows but never all together. It’s going to be a cool time,” Chappell said. “It’s going to be my first big party since coming home from Afghanistan.”

Tickets can be purchased directly from the bands for $25 or at the door Saturday for $30. All proceeds will benefit Chappell’s recovery.

“Adam’s done a great job. He took it upon himself to do all this. Nobody asked him to,” Chappell said. “He’s always been there for me. I owe him a lot.”

Deb Nexon owner of Jersey Club Sports is also planning a 5K for Chappell Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. at Central Park of Morris County.

Nexon, who knew Bucher from grade school, wanted to do something to help Chappell decided a 5K was a great way to raise money. Proceeds from the race will benefit his recovery.

Registration will go live this Saturday at https://raceroster.com/events/2015/6076/run-for-kyle.

Any businesses willing to sponsor the race can email info@jerseyclubsports.com.

Chappell is hoping by October he’ll be able to participate in the 5K in some capacity.

“I would love to be a part of the 5K,” Chappell said. “I used to run five miles every morning. I wish three miles wasn’t such a milestone.”

Gray said Chappell has been able to hang out with him, and the pair have made trips to visit his dog and to go to the mall and out for dinner in recent weeks.

“He is working very hard and healing well but still has trouble with his right foot being numb and with his right eye being pretty much blind,” Gray said. “He is making the best and continually doing all he can to move forward.”

Chappell is expected to be released from Kessler Institute on Aug. 5, and Bucher is currently making modifications to her home to accommodate her son.

“This is farther along than we expected a few months ago,” Bucher said.

Chappell served two tours overseas with the 2nd Light Armored Recon Battalion, one in Iraq and another in Afghanistan, from 2007 to 2011. The oldest of four siblings, Chappell was working as an electrician when he was injured and he hopes to return to his job once he recovers.

“I’m really thankful to everyone who has donated. I obviously didn’t ask for it but it’s been really helpful. This stuff is expensive,” Chappell said. “I miss my old job, but I’m glad this frees me up to focus on recovering.”

In addition to his gratitude, Chappell has one piece of advice he wants to share.

“Watch out for motorcycles,” he said.

Go to http://www.gofundme.com/kylesfighttowalk to help fund Chappell's recovery.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com

If you go:

Benefit concert for Kyle Chappell

Acts: Alison Wolfer, Ice Cream Social, Hot Pink Apocalypse, The CRAFT Band, and The Defending Champions

Where: The Elks Club, 125 Cornelia Street in Boonton Township.

When: Saturday, Aug. 1, from 5 to 11 p.m.

Cost: $25 directly from the acts or at the door for $30.