Friends raise money for Ga. dad who broke neck trying to save 4-year-old from drowning

New York Daily News ^ | June 12, 2013 | By Philp Caulfield

[Brad from Tennessee]

Family and friends in northwest Georgia are rallying to raise funds for a young father who was left paralyzed after he dove into a creek to save a 4-year-old girl from drowning.

Michael Patterson, 43, broke his neck in three places Saturday after he dove headfirst into a shallow creek in Rockmart to try to save toddler Javea Jones, who had fallen in.

Javea's mother, Carlissa Jones, told WSBTV that her daughter was being swept downstream with her head underwater when Patterson, who was with his 9-year-old son, Cole, went in after her.

"He jumped in head first, and after I grabbed her, I looked back and he was floating on top of the water," she said.

Paramedics rushed Patterson to Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, where he is in intensive care and paralyzed from the chest down, according to WSBTV.

he heroic young dad works in construction and doesn't have health insurance. His family is already suffering under a mountain of medical bills because his father is dying of cancer, according to local reports.

A fund has been set up at a local bank, and supporters created a Facebook page to relay updates about Patterson's condition. . .

[Brad from Tennessee]

Update

[Fred]

ping for prayers and funds update

[Jane Long]

So sad. Prayers up for this brave dad.

From the article...

Donations can also be made to the Mike Patterson Donation Fund at River City Bank, 228 N. Second Ave. SW, Rome, Ga. 30165.

[1_Rain_Drop]

Prayers for healing and a miracle for the entire family.

[MacMattico]

Prayers for the man, and I'm sure he was in panic mode but never dive into water you're not 100% sure what the depth is. As a kid I did a back flip into a friends pool and got all twisted and slammed my head into the bottom of the shallow 4 ft end. I thought I was in the deep end. Lucky I was only dazed and in pain. My teeth even hurt though none were broken. I never even told my parents.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Thanks and God bless you.

[Jane Long]

Thanks. It’s on Drudge, now, FYI.

[mlizzy]

Thanks for the update! I hope many are able to donate.

Wonder what Planned Parenthood thinks about this man's heroics to save just one little black girl's life.

[livius]

It wasn’t clear to me where I could donate. Is there a PayPal account?

[Rio]

God Bless Mr. Patterson.

broke his neck in three places Saturday after he dove headfirst into a shallow creek in Rockmart to try to save toddler Javea Jones
Are four-year-olds considered toddlers?

[Orange1998]

Being on Drudge will get his story known. I pray for him and his family. Hopefully his condition will improve.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Mr.Patterson has passed.

[Brad from Tennessee]

[Mr.Patterson has passed.]

Sad news but maybe it was the most merciful ending.

Thanks for the update.