An artist needs our help

This is a true story. I dont know the artists, but seeing as how I love family, tattoos, and motorcycles, I'll pitch in where I can. I will donate all membership signup fees through monday May 2nd to the cause. I wish the family all the best. An artist needs our help, Twisted Tattoos of Sebring Florida owner Chris Goggins, age 29, was severely injured on Wednesday April 20. He was on his way home from his shop on his motorcycle when a woman ran a stop sign and caused Chris to T-bone her car. He was life flighted from Sebring to Tampa General Hospital where he remains in a coma. His injuries include his neck broken in 2 places, breaks in his collar bone, arm, pelvis, leg, and ankle. He has fluid on his brain that won't drain and they can't drain. His chances for survival are only about 50/50 and if he does survive, they don't know what quality of life he will have. He was on his way home to be with his daughter on her first birthday. He has 3 other children ages 7, 6, and 3. His wife Kristy is doing her best to hold things together. We were wondering if you could pass this on to the many other artists that you have contact with and if they could send any donation to help out this young family and young artist. I know from attending the south florida tattoo expo and marked for life for many years how generous the artists can be, and if there was ever a good cause, this is it. We have a great fraternity of artists and when one of us needs help, I know many others will answer the call. No donation is too small or too large. There is a trust fund set up in the name of Chris and Kristy Goggins at Highlands Independent Bank, 205 West Center Avenue, Sebring Fl 33870. He, his family, and his many friends will appreciate anything you can do to help. I am pre thanking you for your help with this. Don Gray aka "Buddha" The Tattoo Shop Lake Wales Florida (863) 655-4462 home or (863) 676-1886 shop

Hi. The artist in the accident is Chris Goggins. He is doing better, but still in a coma. Thank you to everyone who contributed, and please keep Chris and his family in your thoughts and prayers. WB

sending in our donation as we speak. Hope to hear good news soon.

I would like to extend a word of thanks to you for posting the article about Chris and for encouraging others to help him out in this time of need. I thought I would post an update on his condition for those who are interested. This week he was moved to a primary care unit at Tampa General, a step down ICU unit. He has been stable so far, but still has a very long way to go in his recovery. Doctors have finally stated that they feel confident he will live, but again his quality of life is in question, we won't know anything directly concerning his level of disability and brain damage until he comes out of his coma, which may be at least another 6 months due to the extent that he damaged his brain. His body seems to be healing rather well at this point. He had a hip replacement surgery on last Wednesday to which he came through without any complications. The swelling and pressure on his brain was considered "normal" about a week ago and doctors were able to take the drainage tubes and monitors out of his head. He continues to breathe on his own, and has been weaned off of the ventilator. HIs sister has started a webpage through Tampa General Hospital that tracks his recovery and allows visitors to send messages directly to the family..you can go to www.carepages.com and after registering type in the name chrisgoggins (just like that) and you'll be connected to his personal page. Now, I'd like to give a little abckground on Chris' tattoo history. He bagen tattooing 10 years ago, right around the time when we first met. He started out doing tattoos on friends and family (that were brave enough LOL) and got his first taste of professional tattooing while living in Statesboro, Georgia. I have the great honor to say that I have his very first professional tattoo! Since that time his artwork has only improved. His personal tattoo god has always been Paul Booth, and he has taken much inspiration from Mr. Booth's designs and ideas. He always said he wanted to be the next Paul Booth of tattooing ;) After he moved back to Highlands county, he worked long and hard to get his own shop up and running, Twisted Tattoos was the result of lots of blood, sweat and tears for him and was a dream come true. When he started using the black light inks, and got a write up in the local paper about it, he couldn't have been happier had you given him a million dollars (well maybe ...) After the hurricanes last year put the hsop out of business for a while, of course he was upset but worked diligently to get things back on track, he had only recently re-opened the shop for business when this accident occurred. Kristy has since closed down the shop, but holds the hope that Chris will be able to re-open someday. One correction that I would like to make to the article printed...Chris has 5 children not four (as has been all over the news) His oldest son lives in Georgia with Chris' former wife. Again, a heartfelt thanks to all who have shown concern for his situation.

Just thought I'd post a short update for anyone interested. Chris has been moved from Tampa General to FINR, an inpatient neurological rehab center. He is progressing quite well, still technically in a coma, but he is in the earliest stages of regaining consciousness. He can talk some, his movements are getting stronger, he recogonizes his family members, and is more responsive and interactive with staff and visitors. He still has a long way towards recovery but he is getting there.