It could happen to you. Dave and Debbie

Hi, my name is Diana and I'm trying to raise funds for medical equipment for my friends. They have had a recent tragic event that has changed their lives’ forever.

This is Dave and Debbie:

I have known Debbie for 56 years. We used to live across the street from each other when we were kids and remain friends to this day.

On June 3, 2023 her husband of 26 years, Dave was outside their home

trimming trees. Suddenly a large branch swept the ladder out from under him. He toppled to the ground smashing his head open on the concrete driveway. He was rushed to the hospital where he underwent multiple cranial surgeries. He had 3 large clots, one was located on the spinal cord and had to be removed immediately. He spent the next month in ICU on life support.

Many physicians and other hospital staff didn’t think Dave was going to make it however, Debbie knew. She never left his side and kept in constant contact with his neurosurgeons. The staff made several attempts to get her to make him a DNR and pull the plug, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She stood her ground and fought for Dave and the time he needed to slowly improve. Dave spent a total of 3 months in 3 different hospitals. Including a hospital that specializes in Neuro cases located 2 hours from their home.. Of course, Debbie went with him. She lived in his room and never left his side. From there he was sent to rehab. Until after 20 days, the insurance company refused to pay any longer. So they sent him home for Debbie to take care of.

As you can see in the picture, Dave is 6'6" tall and well built. Debbie is 5'6" and weighs 110 pounds soaking wet. They sent him home with a massive stage 4 decubitus ulcer on his buttocks that is packed with a wound vacuum. A wound vac is a machine that literally sucks the dead tissue and puss from the wound and deposits it into a canister. The dressings are very tricky because if you don't do it properly the dressing won't seal and then you lose your suction. They sent him home with a peg tube and liquid feedings to be administered around the clock. They sent him home with a manual wheelchair and an old modified crank bed that was too small for him. The insurance company wouldn't pay for multiple services that a Neuro patient requires to manage rehabilitation. Leaving Debbie to make due, including getting him to the wound doctor, physical therapy, speech and occupational therapy etc...

He is not able to get into a car so they have to take a medical transport in order to accommodate a very tall Dave and his wheelchair. The transport is often late and they have to be ready to be picked up for any appointment very early in the morning. They missed a Doctor's appointment because medical transportation is very difficult to negotiate. Sometimes the transport company and the Doctor's schedule don't match.

So Debbie was forced to use their retirement funds to pay for a proper wheelchair (that still needs $6500 in modifications for Dave) a hospital bed with a trapeze, caretakers and a multitude of other expenses required to take care of Dave.

My friends have worked their entire lives. They are now unable to work. They are too young for social security. Debbie is exhausted because she can't afford to have a caretaker each night, so she takes care of him during the day and the nights that she doesn't have a helper.

This is Dave today:

Because of Dave's' height he requires a special rear door entryway. These vans cost around $50,000 used. Debbie has sold her vehicle and Dave's' truck but, with the mounting expenses my friend needs help to pay for some of this medical equipment and ongoing care.

Dave still requires a lot of rehab and care. Her wish is that he may one day be able to stand and pivot so that he could get into a car.

You will never meet kinder people. Debbie is too proud to ask for help herself so I have taken it upon myself to try and help my very dear friends.

Think what would happen to your family if some type of tragedy like this occurred to you or yours. What would you do?

I beg you during this holiday season to find it in your heart to help them.

Even a dollar will help. If you can't contribute then please send this Gofundme page to everybody and anybody you can think of.

Thank you for reading my post. I know it is lengthy but it doesn't even begin to describe what these people have been through. God bless and happy holidays to you and yours.

Thanking you in advance.

Diana