Sometimes, I wonder about man-kind and how cruel we can be to each other, but then a wonderful occurrence happens and a great majority of people come together and help the victims of this harsh cruelty; overpowering the insanity and violence, coming together to help one another in a time of need.
Such is the case with a MT, USA board Instructor; Paul Overby.
Paul was subjected to a brutal beating (nearly costing him his life) in an attempt to stop would-be thieves from stealing a friend’s Moped. In turn they beat him unconscious and left him for dead.
They are being held on attempted murder charges and are awaiting trial, but in the meantime, Paul and his family and friends are banding together to help Paul with his recovery. Unfortunately, this means over $2 million dollars worth of medical expenses and the loss of employment while the care is being given.
Paul’s story is below and so is information about ways to help out, including a really fun festival fundraiser being planned in his honor!
I urge you to pass this information along and help out if you can; this is the time to show cruelty just how kindness woks!
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Late at night, Tuesday September 16th, 2008
Paul had just finished walking his friend home safely from a bar, and noticed several men attempting to steal his friend’s moped.
He had lived in Bozeman for over 3 years at that point, and had never seen these young men before, but decided to stop them anyways.
Paul attempted to tell them ‘to back off’ and ‘just leave’ when one young man jumped him from behind, and hit him in the back of his
head with his elbow. He instantly fell down and the same young man allegedly started kicking him repeatedly in the face and head.
The attack lasted less than a few minutes because when nearby witnesses came running, both attackers were already gone. One of the witnesses found that Paulie was choking on his blood and turned him on his side to help him breathe.
After being called the police found Paul unresponsive with no pulse, and lying in a parking lot“bleeding heavily from the head,” according
to a written statement released Wednesday afternoon. The police said he had stopped breathing and emergency CPR was administered.
Shortly after, he was taken to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital where the medical staff desperately tried to get his airways cleared and allow
him to breathe.
Paul was beaten so severely that no visible face, mouth, or nose was left behind. His airways were also blocked from choking on his own vomit, his lungs were filled with so much fluid that the emergency team was unable to clear his airways.
He was later flown by helicopter to a Billings hospital where he was placed critical condition in an intensive care unit.
Most of his injuries were to the face. Every bone in his face had been broken and 2 major surgeries were needed to repair them.
Paul’s family in Minnesota at was notified at 4:30 AM Wednesday September 17, 2008.
They were told that he was having difficulty breathing and that he was being airlifted to Billings, Montana. At that point, they just did not know if he would make it to Billings.
Some of Paul’s friends immediately drove from Bozeman to Billings. Paul’s family will always be very grateful that these friends watched over Paul until they could get to Billings from Minnesota.
When family arrived, what they saw was a face that looked like a smashed pumpkin painted black, blue, yellow, and green. He had an oxygen mask on and blood was being pumped from this stomach (he lost at least half of his blood).
On Thursday, September 18, Paul had his first facial reconstructive surgery. The surgery took 6 hours and when complete, Paul had 8 plates in the lower half of his face and his jaw was wired shut. Each eye socket required three plates and two were needed for the jaws. One eye socket was so pulverized that cartlidge was taken from his nose to rebuild it. Paul also had a trachea tube because he couldn’t breathe from his nose or his mouth.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Paul had his second surgery. The forehead was stabilized with a mesh material and the nose bridge was rebuilt. His trachea tube was downsized.
Paul’s friends have sent up a trust fund to assist with medical expenses. Anybody wishing to make a donation can send it to the following address:
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Ways to help:
Pillage in the Village ‘08
-Friday, November 14, Black Bear Bar and Grill
-BBQ, ski and snowboard movies, bonfires, live music!
-6-8 PM BBQ ($9)
-7-10 PM ski and snowboard films from Rage Films, TransWorld Snowboarding, and Montana -Rush shown on an outdoor screen by bonfires.
-Sweet prizes and gear to be raffled and auctioned from Transworld Snowboarding, WorldBoards, Big Sky Resort, and local businesses
-10 PM live music by The Black Mask
-Prize for best pirate getup
-21+ only after 9 PM
Tickets are $15 at the door. Proceeds go to benefit Paulie Overby.
Mail in donations:
For Benefit of Paul Overby
Big Sky Western Bank -Bozeman Branch
P.O. Box 818, Bozeman, MT 59771, 406-587-2922
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Hope you have a safe day!
A
