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Calvert Hall alum injured on July 4th now in Denver hospital

Posted at 10:56 PM, Aug 01, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-02 10:02:43-04

BALTIMORE — Ben Paepcke is now in a 90 day rehabilitation center in Denver, at Craig Hospital, after spending nearly a month at Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

On the Fourth of July, Paepcke dove into a wave at the beach when he severely damaged his spine and shattered his C5 vertebrae. He's been making progress every day at the hospital with friends and family by his side. His sister, Sarah Gossman, said Paepcke is in good spirits.

RELATED: Calvert Hall alum recovering from tragic 4th of July swimming accident

She posted a video of Paepcke proving that. He was singing along to a song and didn't miss a beat. She also posted pictures of his friends visiting him in the hospital, when he got to go outside and when his nephew fed him ice cream.

On Tuesday, Paepcke was flown to Denver to start his rehab there. Gossman said the tie-dye shirt he's wearing at the Denver facility is the first time they've been able to get a shirt on him. She said he's working hard to get better.

There have been a few fundraisers for the family and there are a few more scheduled. On Monday, Aug. 26 from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m., Texas Roadhouse in White Marsh is donating 10 percent of their proceeds to the Paepcke family.

On Saturday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m., the Tavern in the Quarters will have cornhole and pool tournaments. 50 percent of the proceeds will go to the family, and the other 50 percent will go to the winners.

On Oct. 7 at 8 a.m., there is a golf tournament at Rocky Point Golf Course for $120 per player where all the proceeds will go to the Paepcke family. If you sign up, call Nicholas Olszewski at 443-610-8715 or email him at olszewskin23@gmail.com.

If you want to donate to the family, click here. If you want to buy a shirt or bracelet, click here.