- J
- L
- R
Imagine having your life depend on your placement on a list. That is the predicament that my son Gerald finds himself in as he waits for his turn to be considered for the kidney transplant that can save his life. The trips to the hospital, the home treatments and the moments of intense sadness are all painful processes that my son endures daily. The amazing thing is that Gerald never complains and keeps a smile on his face as he waits for his chance to live a life free of tubes and machines.
We were recently notified that he has been taken off of the preliminary evaluation list because he does not have $3,000 in a start-up account to offset some of the medical costs. This was devastating news to hear because we do not have the money needed, and we only have 60 days to raise it. For this reason, we are asking for much-needed help from our family and friends.
Gerald is an empathetic, intelligent man who loves his job and finds joy in helping people by giving them advice on how to take better care of themselves, and elevate themselves through education. When he mentors students and they complain about their problems, Gerald tells them not to give up and repeats the words of his mentor, Ratibu Jacocks who recently passed away, but would always say, "No is NOT the final answer."
The $3,000 that we raise here will be placed in the start-up fund that is required in order for Gerald to be re-evaluated for placement back on the kidney recipient list. We know that we will need additional funds in the future, but for now we are taking it one day at a time and praying that God will continue to give us the strength to face and conquer the obstacles as they come.
As a mother, I want what is best for my son. My desire is to give him one of my kidneys, but my diabetes prevents me from being a donor so I am working to correct it with diet and exercise so I can be considered a donor for my son. I am not worried and I trust God to take care of my son because he has taken care of him all of this time.
It weighs heavily on my heart to see my son struggle as he has for most of his life; I have done whatever I could to keep him safe and well. When he was born prematurely at 1lb 8 ounces, the doctors told me he was dead. I was 20 and I cried for the Lord to "give me back my baby." When the doctors returned to Gerald, he was kicking. At one week old, doctors did not expect him to live so they did not put him in intensive care, but left him in a corner of the nursery while they waited for an available bed in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Doctors thought he would require heart surgery and did not expect him to live, but I prayed for his recovery and the whole in his heart closed.
Gerald is a fighter and thinks positively no matter what his situation. He is 41 years old now and has remained undaunted by the pressures and medical procedures that weigh on him every day. Gerald knows how difficult life can be because he is living it. Even though he lost four fingers on his left hand when he was three weeks old, he still remained a cheerful child and did not let his differences stop him.
In middle school, he received the NAACP Award for hard work and achievement and then in high school, he was a member of the National Youth Leadership Conference which took him to Washington DC to meet and learn from Senators and Congressmen. While he was in college, he developed diabetes which caused him temporary blindness, but with prayer, and the diligent work of doctors, limited vision was restored, but the hypertension caused the end stages of renal disease. When asked how many pills he takes, he laughs because he takes about 30 pills every day. The fact that he can still laugh is a miracle in itself especially since he receives 9 hours of dialysis every night.
We know that demands on all of our lives are great so we appreciate whatever you can find it in your heart to give. With your generous donations and his replacement on the kidney recipient list, Gerald will be able to experience a physical peace. For now, he finds comfort in the bible verse Proverbs 3:5-7 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Be not wise with thine own eyes, but fear the Lord and run from evil."
We are grateful that you have taken the time to read our story and help us. Thank you!
Gerald and Cheryl
We were recently notified that he has been taken off of the preliminary evaluation list because he does not have $3,000 in a start-up account to offset some of the medical costs. This was devastating news to hear because we do not have the money needed, and we only have 60 days to raise it. For this reason, we are asking for much-needed help from our family and friends.
Gerald is an empathetic, intelligent man who loves his job and finds joy in helping people by giving them advice on how to take better care of themselves, and elevate themselves through education. When he mentors students and they complain about their problems, Gerald tells them not to give up and repeats the words of his mentor, Ratibu Jacocks who recently passed away, but would always say, "No is NOT the final answer."
The $3,000 that we raise here will be placed in the start-up fund that is required in order for Gerald to be re-evaluated for placement back on the kidney recipient list. We know that we will need additional funds in the future, but for now we are taking it one day at a time and praying that God will continue to give us the strength to face and conquer the obstacles as they come.
As a mother, I want what is best for my son. My desire is to give him one of my kidneys, but my diabetes prevents me from being a donor so I am working to correct it with diet and exercise so I can be considered a donor for my son. I am not worried and I trust God to take care of my son because he has taken care of him all of this time.
It weighs heavily on my heart to see my son struggle as he has for most of his life; I have done whatever I could to keep him safe and well. When he was born prematurely at 1lb 8 ounces, the doctors told me he was dead. I was 20 and I cried for the Lord to "give me back my baby." When the doctors returned to Gerald, he was kicking. At one week old, doctors did not expect him to live so they did not put him in intensive care, but left him in a corner of the nursery while they waited for an available bed in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Doctors thought he would require heart surgery and did not expect him to live, but I prayed for his recovery and the whole in his heart closed.
Gerald is a fighter and thinks positively no matter what his situation. He is 41 years old now and has remained undaunted by the pressures and medical procedures that weigh on him every day. Gerald knows how difficult life can be because he is living it. Even though he lost four fingers on his left hand when he was three weeks old, he still remained a cheerful child and did not let his differences stop him.
In middle school, he received the NAACP Award for hard work and achievement and then in high school, he was a member of the National Youth Leadership Conference which took him to Washington DC to meet and learn from Senators and Congressmen. While he was in college, he developed diabetes which caused him temporary blindness, but with prayer, and the diligent work of doctors, limited vision was restored, but the hypertension caused the end stages of renal disease. When asked how many pills he takes, he laughs because he takes about 30 pills every day. The fact that he can still laugh is a miracle in itself especially since he receives 9 hours of dialysis every night.
We know that demands on all of our lives are great so we appreciate whatever you can find it in your heart to give. With your generous donations and his replacement on the kidney recipient list, Gerald will be able to experience a physical peace. For now, he finds comfort in the bible verse Proverbs 3:5-7 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Be not wise with thine own eyes, but fear the Lord and run from evil."
We are grateful that you have taken the time to read our story and help us. Thank you!
Gerald and Cheryl