Paralyzed Lilburn Runner Continues Recovery, Fund Set Up to Defray Costs

Family and friends will welcome a Lilburn man back to the area today, as he begins the next phase of recovery following a traumatic injury more than two weeks ago.

Charles Tumulak, 46, was competing in an obstacle course run on March 23 in South Carolina when he lost his balance on a cargo net climb and fell 15 feet -- head first -- on the ground below.

Now, the avid runner is paralyzed from the neck down. 

Since that fall, Tumulak has been at the McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, S.C., receiving treatment. On April 10, he is expected to arrive at the Shepherd Center here in Atlanta, where a team of doctors specialized in spinal cord injuries will work with him.

"Having him in Atlanta and at Shepherd Center is the next phase of his recovery, where he will truly be able to begin meaningful rehabilitation and hopefully, improvement," said his youngest sister, Kai Tumulak Recchia.

"It is also where the majority of our family and his girlfriend lives, so his support base will be stronger and better equipped to help him in his efforts," she added.

Having lived in Lilburn since 1980, Tumulak will have a large contigent of well-wishers here. He is a 1986 graduate of Norcross High School, and his parents have been living in the same Lilburn home since he was 13, Recchia said.

Before the fall, "Charles was the picture of health," his sister said recently in an Internet post. "A devoted brother and uncle, Charles was known for his positivity, enthusiasm and ability to make you laugh."

His family and friends will need to surround him with that same positivity energy now. Recovery will be long.

Tumulak is expected to be at the Shepherd Center for six to eight weeks, Recchia said. And, then he will move to his parents Lilburn home, where the garage is being renovated especially for him.

He will require a lifetime of care, which is expected to cost a minimum of $5,000 a month, the family has said. A special fundraising website has been set up to help with costs.

More than $21,000 already has been raised, and many people are leaving messages of encouragement.

"I hope you have a miracle come your way soon," said one donor.

"Keep fighting, Charles," said another. "It is always only at our lowest, can we rise and prosper."

His family is hoping that Tumulak will regain some movement, and even if he doesn't, he will still remain a warrior to them.

For more information:

• Donate to Charles Tumulak's fund by visiting http://www.gofundme.com/chuckstorm.

• Keep up with updates on Tumulak's condition at the "Fight for a Warrior - Fund for Charles" Facebook page.

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