Andy DehnartThree-time Project Runway contestant Chris March is suffering financially, physically, and emotionally from the effects of a 2017 accident, and is asking for help with medical bills and other expenses.
The fashion designer—who also had his own Bravo show, Mad Fashion—told fans and friends that he’s been anxious, depressed, and has felt like he might harm himself. (If you are feeling that way, please call 1-800-273-TALK, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, for free and confidential support.)
An update posted to a Gofundme page for Chris said that while Chris “pulled thru from a very difficult, delicate and demoralizing hospitalization” two years ago, he now is “in a nursing facility” where “he’s had to deal with homophobia, shortage of rehab personnel and lack of funds.”
The fundraiser, which started last spring, has so far raised just over $55,000 as of 6 p.m. on April 4; the goal is $100,000 to help pay for his expenses and medical bills.
Chris says he now only receives $52 a month from disability, and is wearing leg braces and still has a tracheotomy tube that he wants to have removed.
The page’s administrator recently shared this note from Chris:
“I have recently run into several setbacks in my recovery, the biggest one being that my medical insurance went up over 500% at the beginning of 2019. I am also in need of leg braces, specialized physical therapy, a hearing aid, and a new living arrangement. Where I am now is unbearable and makes me anxious and depressed every day. I have considered suicide many times. I have tried my best to make strides. There is a long road of physical therapy ahead of me. In December I was awarded disability, but California gives 95% of it to this facility, which leaves me with $52 per month. In the face of all my setbacks, I try to remain positive—the leg braces are an exciting new tool on my road to recovery. I am trying to get my tracheotomy removed, and I try my best to effect positive change in this facility for myself and all the residents here. I try to add humor, glamour, and a little glitter to my world.”
Chris March’s 2017 accident
Last summer, one year after the accident, Chris explained what happened that started him on this path:
“Dear Everyone, today is the one year anniversary of my accident, so I wanted to tell you what happened so you hear it from me… I fell and hit my head in my apartment. It’s that simple. I passed out and laid there for 4 days. I woke up and called 911 and somehow got to the hospital. In the hospital all sorts of medical problems happened: My blood sugar was over 500. My organs started failing, my right lung collapsed, and they had to give me a tracheotomy and put me on a ventilator.”
“My kidneys failed, my lung kept collapsing, my gall bladder was infected. I had a wound on my right leg. My body went septic… The coma lasted about 2 months. I came close to death many times—they called my family and they were told if they wanted to say goodbye to come right away. Somehow I miraculously woke up — I couldn’t talk and didn’t know where I was for a couple of months. I ended up being paralyzed in both legs from the knees down. My right hand and arm are paralyzed.”
Visit the Chris March Medical Fund page to learn more or to donate.