Pete Day is the kind of friend everyone wants in their life.

After his good friend Leroy Reiff, 26, sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident, Day wanted to do something more than usual to help the family.

While doctors take care of Reiff medically, Day found a way to help Reiff's young family face financial difficulties.

"I know it will be a struggle for the family to make ends meet with Leroy laid up," said Day, of Reinholds. "So I decided to set up a fund for people to help with expenses so they don't have to worry about paying the mortgage, taxes, food, heat, etc."

The first person to make a $1,000 donation to the fund was Day, who donated all the money made from his farmette's corn and produce sales this season.

"Accidents can happen to any of us and we could need help ourselves someday," Day said.

The life-changing accident took place July 1, Reiff's 26th birthday. The father of two, 3-year-old Janette and 1-year-old Brandon, and his wife, Louise, celebrated his special day at their East Earl home.

It was a hot, humid summer day, so the family decided to go next door to their neighbor's pond for a swim. Reiff enjoyed the water slide and on that sunny day took his first slide in a sitting position. His second run, going head first, was when tragedy hit.

"The doctor said the way Leroy's body impacted the water was like hitting a wall," Louise Reiff said. "He suffered spinal cord injuries."

She said Fivepointville Ambulance responded to the emergency call, followed by the Medevac helicopter, which transported the injured Reiff to University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.

The diagnosis, delivered by Dr. Neil Mahortra, was devastating — a broken neck at Reiff's C-1 vertebra, a fractured C-2 and C-3 and a shattered C-5 and C-7.

The good news, his wife said, was that Reiff had no brain damage and some feeling in his limbs that doctors diagnosed as an "incomplete injury."

"The doctor said there was a chance he would regain movement and possibly walk again," Louise Reiff said.

After two weeks in Philadelphia, Leroy Reiff was moved to Reading Hospital Rehabilitation Center for a couple of days, followed by 11 days in Reading Hospital and Medical center after he developed pneumonia. He was transferred to Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia at the end of July.

Within a few weeks of rehab, Reiff regained the use of his upper body. He's able to talk and feed himself, but remains paralyzed from the waist down.

"I pray that the doctor's belief that he could have a full recovery and walk again in one to three years will come true," Louise Reiff said.

She admitted that seeing her once-active husband in a wheelchair isn't easy, but said he doesn't complain and has a positive attitude.

Earlier this year, Reiff had started his own grain bin building. Friends and a co-worker, hired a month before the accident, are currently handling the work.

"Faith has been a big help for Leroy and I in dealing with this situation," Louise Reiff said. "I can't wait till he comes home ... the children really miss him."

Before her husband's return home, possibly in November, physical changes to the family's home are needed to make it wheelchair-accessible.

With no insurance and staggering medical expenses, the young couple also appreciates the generous support of their church, Reinbach Mennonite in New Holland, to help with the costs.

She also expressed appreciation for help from family and friends like Day.

"Pete's been a good friend," she said.

Contributions to the Leroy Reiff Benefit Fund can be sent to: Fulton Bank, Attention Laurie Sauder, 2350 North Reading Road, Suite 14, Denver, Pa., 17517. Checks should be made payable to the Leroy Reiff Benefit Fund.