Operation bring Dad home

Operation Bring Dad Home

We all look forward to that next grand moment in our lives, Retirement. That special time marking the end of working for someone else and starting a period of being home with your spouse and enjoying time with the grandkids. My dad, Michael Salamin, Sr, 74, worked for 50+ years, sacrificing countless hours away from his family to support his wife and 3 sons. Meanwhile, his sense of community drove him to volunteer for the Fire Police Unit of the Washingtonville Fire Department over the past 22 years. In 2006 he retired. My dad is a simple man who enjoys spending time outdoors, in the pool, mowing the lawn, cooking a family dinner on the barbeque, and most importantly being next to his wife of 49yrs Margaret (Mom).

On January 29th, 2019, my dad’s ability to enjoy these simple moments halted when he slipped and fell on ice causing serious traumatic brain injury (TBI). Due to the TBI, my father has lost the ability to care for himself and communicate with others as well as most of his memory. Since the accident, he has been in hospitals and nursing facilities, going through countless tests and rehabilitative therapies. We were unprepared for the financial and emotional burden the accident has placed on the family, most notably my mom.

The saying, “There is no place like home” resonates with most of us and we want to bring our dad home. This year will be my parent’s 49TH wedding anniversary (May) as well their 75TH birthdays (June & July), two milestones worthy of celebration. Our family feels that after spending months in facilities he will progress faster at home surrounded by family who loves him and in a place he is familiar and can relax. Even as the medical bills pile up, the most important thing is to help dad get better, return a quality of life, and allow him to be comfortable.

As we work to move my dad home, we face many challenges. Dad requires long term care, far beyond what insurance will cover. Medicaid is an option, but New York will garnish my father’s pension and social security to pay for medical facility costs making it impossible for my parents to pay the mortgage and ultimately be forced out of their home where they have lived for 40yrs. As a result, we are searching for a way to bring our dad home. Our family is reaching out to the community to ask for assistance. We are trying to raise funds to cover Dad’s medical costs which include outpatient therapy and home health aide assistance, and renovations to the Salamin home to make it handicap accessible. Home renovations include installing a wheelchair ramp, bath tub, and chair lift as well as expanding doorways. Any assistance you can give whether it is to help with medical costs, sharing your building supplies or swinging a hammer is greatly appreciative and will go far in helping dad.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our story. Please share our story with any friends and family as we are trying to reach out to many community members. Any form of donation is not too small. We ask you to please keep our family and my dad in your thoughts and prayers as we work to heal and bring him home.

I am Mike Salamin, Jr. My brothers, Marc and Matt, as well as my mother, Margaret, thank you for your time and support. Much love to all!