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Friends, Family, & Friends of Friends we need your help in what quickly became a terrifying moment for our family; one of which has taken a great emotional toll on us all.
On Friday, June 26th, 2015, our dad, Smitty, suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, what we've learned to be a hemorrhagic stroke. The man that has been our rock, our foundation and ever-present balance of harmony and sincerity is currently in critical condition, in a medically induced coma in a Neurological Intensive Care Unit.
He developed hydrocephalus, which is an abnormal accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain, as a result of the stroke. On Saturday the doctors placed a device called an external ventricular drain (EVD), this required the surgeon to drill a hole in dad's skull and place a tube that drains the excess fluid from his brain which in turn helps relieve the pressure. He is doing his part and fighting hard to come back to us but we have a very long and difficult road ahead. We have been told by the doctors and nurses to expect dad to be in the hospital for at least three to four weeks but it is very possible that it will be longer.
Our dad is an incredible man, loving husband, proud father of five, grandfather of six, soon to receive the new title of great grandfather to a great grandson due to arrive any day now and loyal friend to anyone who's ever needed a hand. For years he has made so many sacrifices and willingly gone without so those he cares for had everything they needed. Throughout the years his strong work ethic and determination, the strength and love of Cheri, his wife of 42 years, and their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has carried our parents through many trying times. Dad has worked, as best he could, to lead by example...to love his family with all of his heart, to support us in every endeavor we attempted, and to earn a living using the strength of his hands to perform the grueling manual labor the construction trade requires. Never complaining or expecting anything from us in return. His quiet and humble character, good humor, and generosity have always been evident to those around him.
Even at almost 66 years old our dad still consistently works construction, often exposed to the extreme heat and cold. It is his income from construction and his social security benefits that cover the everyday expenses as well as the major household bills like our parents' mortgage, utilities, car payments and insurance. Our mom works full time, sadly it's not the paycheck that has kept her there for 15 years but rather the health insurance coverage. Unfortunately dad's social security benefits alone just don't cut it.
Our goal is for our dad to be able to focus all of his strength, energy and effort on his recovery and allow mom to be by his side helping him heal without having the extra stress and worry of the bills stacking up at home or the potential financial cost of getting him healthy again. This is why we are asking for your support to help with the incredible financial demand that has been placed before us. No contribution is too small. Our entire family, especially mom, is truly grateful for anything you are able to give.
Please share the link to our GoFundMe campaign on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, everywhere you can think to! Please help us help our parents!! We can never repay them for everything they've done and still do for all of us but if we are able to provide even a fraction of what they have throughout our lives it will be life changing!
On Friday, June 26th, 2015, our dad, Smitty, suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, what we've learned to be a hemorrhagic stroke. The man that has been our rock, our foundation and ever-present balance of harmony and sincerity is currently in critical condition, in a medically induced coma in a Neurological Intensive Care Unit.
He developed hydrocephalus, which is an abnormal accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain, as a result of the stroke. On Saturday the doctors placed a device called an external ventricular drain (EVD), this required the surgeon to drill a hole in dad's skull and place a tube that drains the excess fluid from his brain which in turn helps relieve the pressure. He is doing his part and fighting hard to come back to us but we have a very long and difficult road ahead. We have been told by the doctors and nurses to expect dad to be in the hospital for at least three to four weeks but it is very possible that it will be longer.
Our dad is an incredible man, loving husband, proud father of five, grandfather of six, soon to receive the new title of great grandfather to a great grandson due to arrive any day now and loyal friend to anyone who's ever needed a hand. For years he has made so many sacrifices and willingly gone without so those he cares for had everything they needed. Throughout the years his strong work ethic and determination, the strength and love of Cheri, his wife of 42 years, and their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has carried our parents through many trying times. Dad has worked, as best he could, to lead by example...to love his family with all of his heart, to support us in every endeavor we attempted, and to earn a living using the strength of his hands to perform the grueling manual labor the construction trade requires. Never complaining or expecting anything from us in return. His quiet and humble character, good humor, and generosity have always been evident to those around him.
Even at almost 66 years old our dad still consistently works construction, often exposed to the extreme heat and cold. It is his income from construction and his social security benefits that cover the everyday expenses as well as the major household bills like our parents' mortgage, utilities, car payments and insurance. Our mom works full time, sadly it's not the paycheck that has kept her there for 15 years but rather the health insurance coverage. Unfortunately dad's social security benefits alone just don't cut it.
Our goal is for our dad to be able to focus all of his strength, energy and effort on his recovery and allow mom to be by his side helping him heal without having the extra stress and worry of the bills stacking up at home or the potential financial cost of getting him healthy again. This is why we are asking for your support to help with the incredible financial demand that has been placed before us. No contribution is too small. Our entire family, especially mom, is truly grateful for anything you are able to give.
Please share the link to our GoFundMe campaign on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, everywhere you can think to! Please help us help our parents!! We can never repay them for everything they've done and still do for all of us but if we are able to provide even a fraction of what they have throughout our lives it will be life changing!