Rallying for Ricky Beyer!

Hi. I’m Suzanne and I’m starting this fundraiser for my sister, Teresa Beyer, and her husband, Richard "Ricky". As most of you are VERY aware, they have had a REALLY rough year. It all started on February 1st when they took Rick to the emergency room because he was losing his ability to walk. It was as if he was gradually becoming paralyzed. That first trip to the ER was only the beginning of a myriad of misdiagnosis and failed medical treatments. Rick was sent home after a short time and, within a couple hours, was substantially worse, ended up back in the ER, and eventually was put on a ventilator.

Things looked really bleak and were touch and go for some time. The doctors didn’t tell them they didn’t expect him to make it until AFTER he DID come off the ventilator! I wish that was the happy ending, but it’s not. Rick had MRSA (actually MSSA) in his spine which has affected many things. During his time in the hospital, there was not enough circulation to his extremities and he ended up losing the tips of three toes. After three months in the hospital, and telling them there was nothing more they could do, they sent him to a rehab. He was released sooner than he should have been due to insurance stopping coverage. As of today, Rick’s legs and one arm are “locked up” in bent positions, he has lost over 40 pounds, and is medically considered a paraplegic. He can only get around because of the generous gifting of a scooter by a relative. He’s not getting home therapy because they said he’s not progressing since they can’t get his legs and arm unlocked.

Ricky has a cardiologist (due to his pacemaker), a neurologist, neurosurgeon, infectious disease doctor, orthopedic surgeon, pain management doctor, and a primary care. As if this isn’t enough (too much!), on her way home from visiting him one day when he was still in the rehab, Teresa was sideswiped by another car, and her car was totaled. She ended up with medical issues of her own (hand, shoulder, etc.) to deal with, and there is a lawsuit pending. And on and on it goes…….

Obviously, Rick has been out of work since February 1st. Teresa cleans houses for a living, and it’s all she can do to try and maintain working while trying to care for Rick and not leave him unattended for too long. The bills are mounting up, and they desperately need help. They applied for social security disability back in February, but the processing time is 8-10 months and the “progress chart” on their website shows their case is only at 60% processed so far.

Their possible HOPE came this week from a doctor (physiatrist) who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He told them he is mortified at the condition Rick is in, how unnecessary and wrong it is, that it should never have gotten to this point, and he wants them in Atlanta at Shepherd Center… ASAP!!….. provided their insurance will cover it. (Update 10/26: Shepherd Center is NOT accepting new patients... Hoping to get a referral to someplace else.)

No matter what happens, even with insurance (which is not very good, and the monthly premium is expensive!) the bills are piling up. Not just medical, but all home expenses and day-to-day living expenses. If/when he gets into "someplace" that can and WANTS to help him, Teresa will need to be with him and will not be able to work during that time. They will have NO income!

If you can help them in ANY way, it will be appreciated more than you might realize. They need enough to pay their monthly living expenses until they can get back on their feet, and/or until social security kicks in and the lawsuit is settled. I am hoping to raise enough to cover three months of bills along with an additional $8K to cover the cost of renovating their bathroom to make a wheelchair-accessible shower.

We are “choosing” to believe Rick will eventually get the treatment and care he needs and will gradually improve enough to get back to the job they said he could have back when he’s able to work again. Prayers are appreciated even more as there IS power in prayer, through faith, belief, and never losing HOPE. Please share this and get the word out to any and all medical connections so we can find "the one" that will finally be able to help Ricky. Thank you in advance for your love, prayers and support of Rick and Teresa.