A Hand Up for Bob & Grace Nygren
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Bob and Grace Nygren have always looked out for other people. Now, due to Bob’s catastrophic illness they are being challenged physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. So it’s time for us to reach out to them with a GoFundMe in Bob’s name.
Grace says, “We have been trying to make it on our own. But the financial stress is overwhelming. We had to sell our home, depleted all of our savings and our 401K. My salary from my part-time job as parish sacristan doesn’t stretch very far. Bobby receives a disability check each month. That’s it. Besides the financial stress it is heartbreaking to see Bobby, my husband, my friend, my everything lose his self-esteem, because for the last two and a half years he has been unable to provide for us. The mountain of unpaid bills from hospitals, doctors, EMS, and rehab and nursing homes - already in the hundreds of thousands of dollars - continues to grow and we have no way to pay them. My 1995 Jeep needs so much work that I can only drive it in town because I’m afraid it will break down.
Bob, known as Thor by his clients, was a hair stylist with a long list of regular clients at the well-known Maxine’s salon off North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and when they were in town, celebrities like Margaret Thacher, Brian Kelly and the Robert Altmans came to him. Clients at Salon Rouge in South Bend, Indiana loved him as well.
In his chair the conversations were often profound. As one client put it, “Thor was an excellent hair stylist and so much more. He had the ability to connect with his clients. He was a very spiritual person, and because his clients trusted him, and he was attuned to them, he was able to use his gift to make an intimate connection with them.” Consequently, Thor was in great demand as a stylist and as a confidant.
Then in 2016 tragedy struck. One day, while taking a 10 minute break, he collapsed and fell on his face. It lasted 15 seconds. He didn’t tell anyone and simply returned to work. It happened two more times. “I was having a hard time with my cutting hand. My hand motions were slowing down. But I didn’t think any bigger than this.” Shortly after these incidents he had the first of three strokes.
The first stroke affected Bob’s entire right side including his cutting hand, so he could no longer work as a hair stylist, the profession he loved. The stroke affected his fine motor skills and with it his ability to style hair. What he misses most is being able to take care of his clients whom he regarded as family. He says, “I miss my clients. They poured their hearts out to me.”
Those connections with his clients came to an end with his first stroke. Then two more strokes impaired the circulation in his legs with the heartbreaking result that in early 2018 he had to undergo the first of several amputations beginning with the toes of his left foot. Unfortunately, that was not enough to save his leg, and several more amputations had to be done until what is left of his left leg is only the upper half of his thigh.
Nine surgeries later, Thor is awaiting a prosthesis that will enable him to regain a little of his independence. His inability to walk and the loss of his client family have been the greatest crosses he has had to endure. “He must be in great pain much of the time but he doesn’t complain,” Grace says, “That is who Bobby is.”
The hope is that friends, clients and compassionate people across the country will find it in their hearts to contribute to Go Fund Me to give Bob and Grace some relief from their financial burdens. Ever hopeful, Grace says, “We believe there are angels in disguise who will show up to help us. We are going to get through this joyfully. Bobby and I thank you all in advance. You, our benefactors will forever be in our hearts and in our prayers.”
Thank you for your generosity. If you cannot make a contribution, please forward this message to your Facebook family and friends. May God bless you for your compassion and generosity.
Grace says, “We have been trying to make it on our own. But the financial stress is overwhelming. We had to sell our home, depleted all of our savings and our 401K. My salary from my part-time job as parish sacristan doesn’t stretch very far. Bobby receives a disability check each month. That’s it. Besides the financial stress it is heartbreaking to see Bobby, my husband, my friend, my everything lose his self-esteem, because for the last two and a half years he has been unable to provide for us. The mountain of unpaid bills from hospitals, doctors, EMS, and rehab and nursing homes - already in the hundreds of thousands of dollars - continues to grow and we have no way to pay them. My 1995 Jeep needs so much work that I can only drive it in town because I’m afraid it will break down.
Bob, known as Thor by his clients, was a hair stylist with a long list of regular clients at the well-known Maxine’s salon off North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and when they were in town, celebrities like Margaret Thacher, Brian Kelly and the Robert Altmans came to him. Clients at Salon Rouge in South Bend, Indiana loved him as well.
In his chair the conversations were often profound. As one client put it, “Thor was an excellent hair stylist and so much more. He had the ability to connect with his clients. He was a very spiritual person, and because his clients trusted him, and he was attuned to them, he was able to use his gift to make an intimate connection with them.” Consequently, Thor was in great demand as a stylist and as a confidant.
Then in 2016 tragedy struck. One day, while taking a 10 minute break, he collapsed and fell on his face. It lasted 15 seconds. He didn’t tell anyone and simply returned to work. It happened two more times. “I was having a hard time with my cutting hand. My hand motions were slowing down. But I didn’t think any bigger than this.” Shortly after these incidents he had the first of three strokes.
The first stroke affected Bob’s entire right side including his cutting hand, so he could no longer work as a hair stylist, the profession he loved. The stroke affected his fine motor skills and with it his ability to style hair. What he misses most is being able to take care of his clients whom he regarded as family. He says, “I miss my clients. They poured their hearts out to me.”
Those connections with his clients came to an end with his first stroke. Then two more strokes impaired the circulation in his legs with the heartbreaking result that in early 2018 he had to undergo the first of several amputations beginning with the toes of his left foot. Unfortunately, that was not enough to save his leg, and several more amputations had to be done until what is left of his left leg is only the upper half of his thigh.
Nine surgeries later, Thor is awaiting a prosthesis that will enable him to regain a little of his independence. His inability to walk and the loss of his client family have been the greatest crosses he has had to endure. “He must be in great pain much of the time but he doesn’t complain,” Grace says, “That is who Bobby is.”
The hope is that friends, clients and compassionate people across the country will find it in their hearts to contribute to Go Fund Me to give Bob and Grace some relief from their financial burdens. Ever hopeful, Grace says, “We believe there are angels in disguise who will show up to help us. We are going to get through this joyfully. Bobby and I thank you all in advance. You, our benefactors will forever be in our hearts and in our prayers.”
Thank you for your generosity. If you cannot make a contribution, please forward this message to your Facebook family and friends. May God bless you for your compassion and generosity.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathy Kelly
Organizer
Michigan City, IN
Grace Nygren
Beneficiary
