Chris: In his own words |What the Foundation is doing|Pictures and Video
Chris: In his own words
June 19, 2010
My name is Chris Dongoski and I am a 44 year old married to Julie and a father of 3. My wife is the love of my life and the most incredible person I have ever met. My children began with Katie Rose, now 11. Katie has always been a great listener and naturally caring. She has developed into an incredible young lady that continues to amaze.
Emily Grace is 9.
I do not remember Emily as a baby. She seemed to go from womb to talker. Her progression as a child was freakishly advanced. Her vocabulary, ability to learn and intellect are simply incredible. Colin, the boy, is 7. Colin like his sisters is brilliant. His latest thing is the piano. He has learned Christmas songs by ear. He taught himself Fur Elise after hearing it on his sister's keyboard.
November the 8th 2009 I was in the woods behind my backyard with Colin, then 6, and Emily, 8 and six other neighborhood kids. We were climbing our favorite sycamore tree when I fell about 11 feet into the creek bed. I felt minimal pain but I could not feel or move my legs. My legs felt as if they were 25 feet from my body and I attempted to get up but could not. I was hoping I only had the wind knocked out of me. Of course the sirens appeared and I knew it was more serious. The paramedics dragged me out of the creek bed and off I went to the hospital. The remainder of the ordeal was literally a blur.
Julie typically would work every other weekend selling real estate. This would leave me with the kids every other weekend to entertain and seek adventure activities. The kids and I would usually go car camping, backpacking, canoeing, caving, and waterfalling. Of course this was probably me pushing the adventure but the kids always had a great time once we got to our destination.
My injury has left me paralyzed from the waist down. Obviously I enjoyed my ability to walk as you have gathered from my adventure activities. This deficit has been the most difficult part of the paralysis. As I pass woods, water, and creeks I sometimes close my eyes and remember what is was like to have my toes in the muck.
Now my adventure seeking has been challenged by learning how to do it with a set of wheels. I am going to make my first attempt this spring with a hike to the "Froggy Pond" in southern Indiana. We are also going to the UP in Michigan this summer for fishing, hiking, and whatever else I am able to do.
My family and friend support system has been simply overwhelming. My wife's company M/I homes donated new floors, an elevator shaft, new concrete patio, master bath remodel, and many other items that would take too long to list. Of course the subcontractors donated all of their time and skills to modify my home to accommodate my injury. I continue to be amazed from the time and efforts of family, friends, and from people I have never even met. The love and support that Julie and I have been shown reinforces the good in people that we all know is inherent.
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What the Foundation is doing:
June 19, 2010
The ThreeSixtyFive Foundation was contacted by the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana in Janurary, 2010 sharing that they had a recommendation for the first recipient. Co-founder Chris Bentlage informally met with Chris Dongoski as a peer counselor to discuss Bentlage's experience and recovery. Following his meeting with Dongoski, Bentlage agreed with the RHI staff that he would make a fantastic first Recipient. It was clear that he had the motivation to face the challenges ahead of him and move forward with life in a wheelchair.
The Foundation then contacted Chris Dongoski and his wife, Julie, with a letter explaining what the Foundation was about and what they could offer to their family. Accepting what the Foundation had to offer, Chris became the first Recipient.
Since that time, the Foundation members have met with the Dongoski’s on several occasions to track their progress and see how the transition was going. Chris and Jordan Bentlage made themselves available to share the insight that they have gained, to relate common stories and to answer any questions that came up during recovery.
From the first meeting that Foundation members had with Chris, he expressed interest in a handcycle. When it came time, and after much research, Chris decided on a model that would work well for him. A handcycle is essentially a three-wheeled, hand powered, low slung bicycle. Due to the unique requirements of each paraplegic, each bike is custom built for its rider.
 Chris found the Freedom Ryder company from Portland, Oregon who offered a bike that suited his needs. When the bike was finished, the Foundation members made a surprise trip to the Dongoski’s home to present the bike to Chris. Video of the presentation is below. In addition to the handcycle, Chris was given a set or portable hand controls that will fit any vehicle with an automatic transmission, allowing him to drive both of the family vehicles, one of which is his favorite Honda Ridgeline.
Now Playing: Video of the presentation to Recipient Chris Dongoski.
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