Don Lawlor's Recovery Fund
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Family,
You know our dad, Don Lawlor, as a husband, father, an especially enthusiastic Poppy to his two granddaughters Eva and Zoe, an avid concert goer (most likely to the Dave Matthews Band), a life long Yankees fan, a gardener, motorcycle rider, traveler, a friend to the many people he met along the way and a true lover of life.
Our family's life changed forever on the morning of April 26th 2016 when our dad suffered a severe thalamic stroke on his way to work as a pipefitter for the Local 9 Union.
*For those of you, like us, that did not know what a thalamic stroke is- the thalamus is located in the center of the brain. It controls how our body functions and responds to the world around us. This part of the brain controls pain, balance and awareness of arms and legs, motivation , aspects of learning, memory, speech and understanding language, emotional experiences, expression, and personality. Source
Don had immediate brain surgery upon arriving to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. He spent two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit where he also experienced a cardiac event, which means his heart stopped, and was rescusitated. After being stabilized he was brought to the RWJ stroke center before being discharged to the JFK Brain Trauma Unit where he stayed for several weeks. From there he was discharged to a more long-term rehab center at JFK Hartwycke in Edison, NJ.
When he arrived at JFK Hartwyck he could not talk, walk or use his right side as a result of the stroke. He also has significant cognitive impairments and memory loss. Throughout his time at rehab Don has worked hard to begin using his voice again through speech therapy. He has learned to walk several feet with the assistance of his physical therapist and a quad cane; although he is still largely dependent on his wheelchair. He also participates in occupational therapy daily.
Don is scheduled to finally come home on August 20th and although we are optimistic about his continued recovery he still has a LONG road ahead of him. We have had to adapt his home to meet his current physical limitations. He will need to see several specialists for ongoing medical care. He is wheelchair bound and will need to go outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy 3 days a week.
The coming weeks, months and years will continue to present many life changes for Don, his family, friends and his dedicated wife, Alison.
Our family thanks you for all the continued love and support. You can help by donating and/or sharing our dad's story.
All donations will go towards Don's ongoing medical care during his long (and expensive) recovery.
You know our dad, Don Lawlor, as a husband, father, an especially enthusiastic Poppy to his two granddaughters Eva and Zoe, an avid concert goer (most likely to the Dave Matthews Band), a life long Yankees fan, a gardener, motorcycle rider, traveler, a friend to the many people he met along the way and a true lover of life.
Our family's life changed forever on the morning of April 26th 2016 when our dad suffered a severe thalamic stroke on his way to work as a pipefitter for the Local 9 Union.
*For those of you, like us, that did not know what a thalamic stroke is- the thalamus is located in the center of the brain. It controls how our body functions and responds to the world around us. This part of the brain controls pain, balance and awareness of arms and legs, motivation , aspects of learning, memory, speech and understanding language, emotional experiences, expression, and personality. Source
Don had immediate brain surgery upon arriving to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. He spent two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit where he also experienced a cardiac event, which means his heart stopped, and was rescusitated. After being stabilized he was brought to the RWJ stroke center before being discharged to the JFK Brain Trauma Unit where he stayed for several weeks. From there he was discharged to a more long-term rehab center at JFK Hartwycke in Edison, NJ.
When he arrived at JFK Hartwyck he could not talk, walk or use his right side as a result of the stroke. He also has significant cognitive impairments and memory loss. Throughout his time at rehab Don has worked hard to begin using his voice again through speech therapy. He has learned to walk several feet with the assistance of his physical therapist and a quad cane; although he is still largely dependent on his wheelchair. He also participates in occupational therapy daily.
Don is scheduled to finally come home on August 20th and although we are optimistic about his continued recovery he still has a LONG road ahead of him. We have had to adapt his home to meet his current physical limitations. He will need to see several specialists for ongoing medical care. He is wheelchair bound and will need to go outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy 3 days a week.
The coming weeks, months and years will continue to present many life changes for Don, his family, friends and his dedicated wife, Alison.
Our family thanks you for all the continued love and support. You can help by donating and/or sharing our dad's story.
All donations will go towards Don's ongoing medical care during his long (and expensive) recovery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Andrew Lawlor
Organizer
Freehold, NJ
Alison Lawlor
Beneficiary