Banish Burkhalter’s Medical Bills!

My sister Amy Burkhalter & her family have fallen on hard times and could really use our help. Their financial burdens stem from heaps of medical bills due to several uncontrollable & unforeseen circumstances from the past couple years. They just can’t seem to get a break. Many of you know my sister from her long career as a daycare teacher at Rainbow. She has lovingly and passionately taught the kids in our community and has devoted her life to rearing amazing citizens, both at work and home. Her husband Todd has also always worked long, hard hours to help provide for their family of 4. About a year & a half ago, Amy got appendicitis and had to have emergency surgery to remove the infected appendix. Despite having insurance, the bills started to mount but this was only the beginning. A slight mishap during the procedure caused more issues so she had to return to the hospital and was out of work for longer than expected. That same year, Todd was in a motorcycle accident on his way to work when a truck ran a stop sign. The impact catapulted him over the truck and he ending up tearing both rotator cuffs. Todd’s job requires manual labor and he was out of work for a long time while going through extensive surgeries and rehab. He went back to work as soon as possible but has continued to suffer with pain and numbness in his hands from the nerve damage. Even though the accident wasn’t his fault, the insurance companies won’t pay out until he’s done with treatment and the case is completely settled so they have had to take out loans and refinance their mortgage just to stay afloat. You would never know this without being very close to them because neither of them ever complain or ask for help. They also do everything in their power to give their kids the best life and make sure they are able to pursue their passions. To try and catch up on bills, Amy works a second job teaching at the YMCA while Todd works overtime whenever possible and takes side jobs plowing in the winter. This past week, after plowing snow with his 4-wheeler, Todd was riding home out in the country when something on the 4 wheeler went awry. It started to shake and Todd tried to maintain control but it veered into the ground and launched into a steep culvert. The 4 wheeler flipped down the embankment, rolling over multiple times. Luckily Todd was able to get out from under it and walked home to call Amy for help. Not wanting to pay for an ER visit due to the cost, he ignored Amy’s insistence to see the doctor that night. The next morning he went in and they rushed him to emergency surgery to put a tube in his lungs to remove fluid. He had broken several ribs and his scapula! Despite his condition, he was still more concerned about the fact that it was about to be the snowstorm of the season and he wouldn’t be able to make extra money snowplowing. Todd has been in the ICU recovering the past couple days and may need additional surgery. I want to do everything in my power to help relieve the financial burden that has plagued this family so they can focus on healing instead of stressing about bills. I know we all have stuff going on but if you could please see it in your heart to donate something to this cause, it would mean the world to my family. Every little bit helps. Thank you so much and God Bless. Love,Sarah Reister