Community Rallies For Roslindale Man Paralyzed By Tree Branch

ROSLINDALE, MA — On March 8 after the second big nor’easter dumped half a foot of snow on Roslindale, Scott Berry headed over to his neighbors home to clear their walkway and driveway. Then his life and those of his family changed drastically.

Now community members and strangers alike are chipping in to help the man so well known in the community for lending a helping hand to others.

While he was clearing the neighbor's walkway with his snow blower, a large tree branch fell. Berry wasn't able to get out of the way in time, and it hit him, pinning him to the ground. He yelled for help. His wife heard and called for their daughter. He couldn't feel his legs any more, he told them.

Neighbors came out to see what was going on and to help lift the branch, but it was too heavy. The family, neighbors and ambulance workers had to wait for the firefighters to come help lift the branch before taking him to the hospital.

Berry was taken to the emergency room at Brigham and Women's where they diagnosed him with a severe spinal cord injury. Doctors told him and the family they do not expect him to regain movement in his lower extremities.

His sister-in-law took to GoFundMe four days after the incident, grateful that he was alive, but hoping others would lend a hand to the man for whom helping was who he was.

"Scott has always been the first person to volunteer and to help out friends when they need it," said Mary Elizabeth Sweeney Ross. "He is an all around wonderful guy; he is the kind, funny person we all aspire to be and he needs all the support we can give."

The road to recovery will be long and difficult not only for Berry, but for his wife Kristen, and their children, Caitlyn and Christopher, who will now need to take time off from work, make modifications to their home and car and invest in wheelchairs and other devices to help care for Berry.

Within four days of posting to GoFundMe crowd sourcing, the family raised more than $72,000 as of noon on Friday. A co-worker of Berry nominated him as a potential beneficiary for The Greg Hill Foundation. After a vote, the foundation chose him and held a fundraiser for Berry on WAAF during The Hill-Man Morning Show and have raised more than $60,000 from some 230 people, according to the foundation. The matching fundraiser will continue through Monday, March 19, a representative from the Greg Hill Foundation told Patch.

The family is aiming for $100,000 for now, but realize it may be much more than that with hospital costs.

"If you cannot contribute financially, please send them prayers, good vibes and love as they begin this long, difficult journey," said Ross.

GoFundeMe is a promotional partner of Patch

Photos courtesy GoFundMe, Kristen Berry and Mary Elizabeth Sweeney Ross

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