Alva Review-Courier -

“It's such a blow. He's just 40 years old and paralyzed from the chest down,” Hardtner, Kansas man David “Flash” Gorden said of his son Michael.

The father and son have worked side-by-side in David's business, Gorden Guttering and Siding. Nearly three weeks ago, Michael was helping his friend Josh Anderson shingle a roof in Attica when a tragic accident happened. David said Josh told him that he and Michael were on the roof working. Josh turned around and didn't see Michael and then found him on the ground. Michael's dad said he told them he has no recollection of what happened to him – why he fell.

It was a 15-foot fall off the roof. Michael was immediately taken to a Wichita hospital where he endured a nearly six hour surgery. His dad said surgeons could not repair one disc, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.

“He is good – getting stronger every day and has use of his arms. He's in really good spirits,” David said of his son. “He can joke.” Now he's headed for a rehab facility in Kansas City.

David's voice quivered as he told how Michael's brother Dustin “quit his good job selling medical equipment to come home and help his brother.” The boys are South Barber graduates. While on this call, David was in Hardtner tending to business at his Grant site awaiting new golf carts to sell – thanks to David's brother. Mom Sonny was in Kansas City with her son at the hospital. Michael has a daughter, Maddie, age 10, and a son, Alex, in Wichita who is a Koch certified welder.

“We've got lots of help from friends and family,” David said. “We appreciate the heck out of everyone helping us out.”

A group of friends and family are helping with a pizza fundraiser, which is Sunday, April 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. You may pre-order with Yur Place 620-296-4477. Pizzas may be ordered to “take and bake” or baked.

In addition to this fundraiser, David said there is also a GoFundMe page for Michael.