One Who Always Helps, Asks For Help

John Harper has been an active member of every community he has lived in. For the past 40 years, he has volunteered his time in the Nedrow and Lafayette Volunteer Fire Departments. He has spent numerous hours helping with set-up and tear down of the Lafayette Apple Festival, plowed for the Town of Lafayette, and lent a hand to just about anyone in need! John has served on the board of the Syracuse Regional Market for the last 10 years, helping it to improve and prosper, all while serving for more than 18 years as president of the Lafayette Volunteer Fire Department.
 
Throughout the years, John has undertaken numerous entrepreneurial efforts, including raising turkeys, splitting and delivering firewood, and selling eggs. However, his most recent and longest effort has been owning and operating Harper’s Green House. After retiring from Verizon, John started growing flowers for his own home in a small greenhouse. Numerous neighbors and people from around town began commenting on his flowers and asked him for flowers of their own. His hobby became an extremely large “small business”, taking him to the regional market to sell to the general public.

Now the man who has always been the first one to lend a hand or offer help NEEDS YOUR HELP....

On May 18th, 2018 John suffered a life changing event. John had a Spinal Stroke at his 8th thoracic vertebrae causing necrosis of the spinal cord. In Layman’s terms, the blood flow to his spine was cut off causing his spinal cord to stop transmitting information to the lower part of his body, leaving him permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

After spending nearly 65 days in the hospital and rehabilitation center, learning some basic tasks to get him back to an independent lifestyle, he has returned home. However, his recovery and rehabilitation will take many more months if not years. The chances of a full recovery have been pretty much ruled out....however his chances of leading a sustainable life are extremely good. With the use of a wheel chair, some learned skills, and a lot of hard work, he will eventually be able to carry on with life.

Why he needs your help....

The out of pocket expenses have already started adding up, including the need to purchase a wheelchair accessible van that he will someday be able to drive, hospital equipment for his home to make him comfortable, and in-home care from home health aides. There are also many modifications that will need to be done so John and Merikay can stay in the home they built together 40 years ago! Health insurance only pays for so much and the expenses are adding up already!

I know money is a hard thing to ask for these days, and some may even ask why is this my problem? But I can assure you, if you were to think back over the years, there’s was probably a time when John Harper did something to help you in one way or another. Whether it was buying you a beer at the Inn, pulling you out of a ditch, helping you or a loved one during a medical or rescue situation, or just cutting you a deal at his greenhouse because he knew you. In one way or another John has touched everyone’s life out of the kindness of his heart!

A donation of as little as $5.00 will add up and every dollar will help! Please consider giving what you can, but if you can’t please share this with everyone you know! On Facebook, Twitter, by email or by text. John Harper has reached into many people’s lives over the years, your sharing this could help it reach these people!