Help Brian Get Back on His Feet

Hi. Like many folks out there, I am a friend of Brian Pappalardo. For the past ten months, Brian has been hospitalized. It started in early June when Brian went to the Arnot Ogden Medical Center, fearing he had Covid-19 or pneumonia. He didn't have covid but did have double pneumonia. His oxygen levels were incredibly low, and as a result, he was intubated and put on a respirator only hours later. He was basically unconscious for the next two months as he struggled for his life. He also developed an MRSA infection in his blood during this period that would later require multiple procedures. He was transferred to several different hospitals in the following months. When he finally was brought to consciousness, over a hundred miles from home, Brian found himself bedridden, barely able to move his head and unable to use his hands or legs. He had difficulty speaking because of the intubation and tracheotomy. He couldn't even use his phone on his own for several months. Communicating with the outside world was next to impossible.

It has been a tough ten months for Brian, a period in which his mother, with whom he lived and helped cared for, also passed away. He has lost his job because of his long absence and is many months from being able to work again.

But Brian maintains an optimistic outlook and has spent the last eight months working hard, the last three at Cayuga Medical Center, where he has received excellent care and therapy. He has regained use of his arms and hands and is slowly learning to stand and walk short distances with the help of a walker.

However, he has a long way to go and will depend on a wheelchair to move around and medical transport services to go to future appointments once he is released. His insurance coverage for acute care is exhausted, and he will soon be released. Continuing his rehab in sub-acute care carries a hefty co-pay fee per day.

Brian is facing many challenges along with a heap of new expenses in adapting to his new condition. This includes in-home healthcare, multiple co-pays (including on his wheelchair), medical transport, making his home suitable for wheelchairs and walkers and other medical devices among other unforeseen expenses that will surely arise.

For example, he still has not regained full feeling in his feet and requires special orthotics in order to be able to move his feet. These orthotics cost well over $1000 but are not covered by his insurance.

Brian is a genuinely good guy and has been a great, helpful friend to many folks out there. He could use a hand now in getting back on his feet. If you can help, please do. And if not, please share this.

It is all appreciated.