Go Go Jean!!!
Donation protected
Those reading this won’t need an introduction—Jean already has a special place in your heart. As you may know, she had a massive stroke on the right side of her brain on 1/2/18. Thanks to the immediate response by her incredible coworkers she made it into surgery quickly, limiting the damage that could have resulted in a far worse outcome. She spent the month of January in the ICU followed by a short stay in an intensive therapy unit where she made steady progress. She had the benefit of the dedicated and professional staff at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC, and the unwavering support of her loving friends and family both near and far. Our sincere appreciation goes to her amazing, loving family at King Veterinary Hospital who have helped in more ways than we will ever be able to express to them.
We all like to think of people recovering from traumatic injury as “fighters,” but she truly exemplifies the term. Every single day she fought through intense pain and fatigue from a constant barrage of medical staff, doing her best to respond to their requests and begin to regain her abilities. She began to sing and toe-tap along with her favorite music and her unmistakable sense of humor began to light up the room again. She quickly became a staff favorite, as if we would expect any differently! She gradually began regaining motor control to take her first steps, eventually learning to stand and walk again, and her speech and communication have similarly improved. She has truly been a rockstar--but there are still many moments of frustration and a long road ahead.
Her wife, Dixie, has been by her side every possible moment and continues to be Jean’s rock upon which she is building her recovery. In addition to countless hours at the hospital talking to and supporting her, working with her and being trained by the medical staff to assist her, Dixie has had to solely run the farm, take care of the furry beasts, prepare their home and run all manner of errands to logistically and financially reorganize their life together.
On 1/26/18, Dixie brought Jean home. Huge victory! Jean will recover more quickly and more comfortably at home, but it will take months, even a year or more before she’s truly independent again. We know she will get there but she needs continuous support and care in the meantime. Because of the current state of Jean’s progress Dixie is not able to work and has taken a leave of absence to care for her full-time. Regrettably this is the only option apart from selling their home and committing her to a hospice. We have exhausted all insurance and aid options and have been fortunate to find a little relief, but there remains a growing stack of medical and household bills that significantly exceed their present income.
We are asking for any gifts of love and support that you can spare as a stop-gap to cover the income deficit until Jean is stable enough that Dixie can return to work. In truth Dixie could use more help than most of us can realistically provide but if we can ease the financial burden even slightly she can worry less about that and focus more on helping Jean.
And thank you, all of you, for your concern and love that you have sent her way these last weeks. Dixie can’t possibly keep up with everyone at this stage but your kind words, thoughts and prayers are all heard and appreciated more than we can express.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Dave
GO GO JEAN!!!
We all like to think of people recovering from traumatic injury as “fighters,” but she truly exemplifies the term. Every single day she fought through intense pain and fatigue from a constant barrage of medical staff, doing her best to respond to their requests and begin to regain her abilities. She began to sing and toe-tap along with her favorite music and her unmistakable sense of humor began to light up the room again. She quickly became a staff favorite, as if we would expect any differently! She gradually began regaining motor control to take her first steps, eventually learning to stand and walk again, and her speech and communication have similarly improved. She has truly been a rockstar--but there are still many moments of frustration and a long road ahead.
Her wife, Dixie, has been by her side every possible moment and continues to be Jean’s rock upon which she is building her recovery. In addition to countless hours at the hospital talking to and supporting her, working with her and being trained by the medical staff to assist her, Dixie has had to solely run the farm, take care of the furry beasts, prepare their home and run all manner of errands to logistically and financially reorganize their life together.
On 1/26/18, Dixie brought Jean home. Huge victory! Jean will recover more quickly and more comfortably at home, but it will take months, even a year or more before she’s truly independent again. We know she will get there but she needs continuous support and care in the meantime. Because of the current state of Jean’s progress Dixie is not able to work and has taken a leave of absence to care for her full-time. Regrettably this is the only option apart from selling their home and committing her to a hospice. We have exhausted all insurance and aid options and have been fortunate to find a little relief, but there remains a growing stack of medical and household bills that significantly exceed their present income.
We are asking for any gifts of love and support that you can spare as a stop-gap to cover the income deficit until Jean is stable enough that Dixie can return to work. In truth Dixie could use more help than most of us can realistically provide but if we can ease the financial burden even slightly she can worry less about that and focus more on helping Jean.
And thank you, all of you, for your concern and love that you have sent her way these last weeks. Dixie can’t possibly keep up with everyone at this stage but your kind words, thoughts and prayers are all heard and appreciated more than we can express.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Dave
GO GO JEAN!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
David Swan
Organizer
Mount Airy, NC
Dixie Schnell
Beneficiary
