A Stroke and a New Beginning
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This is Mark and his wife Sherry. My father in-law and mother in-law. Hardworking and dedicated parents, loving grandparents, good people.
At age 62, Mark has spent the majority of his life working harder than anyone else I've ever known. For the 16 years that I've known him and more- he has been fabricating speciality vehicles. His hand crafted work and breathtaking skill has been seen innumerable times at the North American International Auto Show. It was normal for him to work 60 hours in a week- and sometimes, when a very special project would arise, up to 80.
Not only did he devote so much of his life to his job, he has devoted his life to his wife and kids. Many weekends were spent helping repair family vehicles and doing his best to impart his knowledge and skill on those he was helping. There has always been time for a card game and a family dinner whenever kids and grandkids were visiting.
He has handcrafted bicycles and pieced together motorbikes, welded metal sculptures and whittled intricate wood carvings. He is a true artisan and force to be reckoned with. A spirit of pure hard work and determination with a boundless love for his family. He worked until the job was done, into the night hours, hands scraped and scratched - always giving his all. Mark has never known the meaning of 'give up'.
But sometimes, we don't get to decided when we need to take a break, step down, or walk away from a job.
For Mark, the 60 hour work weeks are over. The stress and strain on his body has been forcibly brought to a halt. It's time to call this part of the job done for him -and time for the rest of us to step up.
~~~
On May 20th, Mark began to feel unwell. After being sent home from work, he fell and hit his head at home. Sherry knew then he needed to go to the hospital. They went into the ER and after some check-up and being told he would need a further look at his arteries - he was sent home.
On May 23rd, Mark suffered a debilitating stroke. While in the hospital it was found that he had a 95% blockage in a carotid artery and would need an immediate surgery. On May 25th, he underwent the arterial surgery.
After many days in the hospital and beginning physical therapy to recover from the stroke, it was also found that Mark would need endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This surgery was supposed to take place in mid July. It ended up being pushed back to August 7th, when Mark tested positive for Coronavirus.
~~~
In the last 3 months, Mark has spent almost two weeks hospitalized - and many more days in and out of doctor's offices for tests. Failing health has taken his job - and with it - the household's only source of income.
Mark is no longer able to work as he once did. In his current physical state, he is not allowed to lift more than eight pounds. The stroke has made his body weak on the left side, the multiple surgeries have left him tired and sensitive to heat. He is constantly stressed, anxious, and barely able to sleep.
Mark and Sherry are in the process of applying for Social Security Disability. Processing an application for SSDI and/or SSI can take three to five months. Once approved, the first payment will be made six months after the agency determines your disability began. For Mark this would be November.
~~~
With no current income, they can no longer afford their home in Michigan.
Luckily, a family member in Arkansas has generously sold them an acre of land. Now the challenge is making the almost 800 mile move amidst a pandemic and with Mark still in need of much recovery.
With $500 for a moving truck, and looking at gas costs of $200 - $250, the base cost of moving is already $750. Family has stepped up to help with the physical move, but there will be additional costs for food and shelter along the way - as Mark cannot travel for long periods of time. This move will easily cost $1000.
They are in the process of obtaining a used mobile home for $10,000. They are working with the promise of monthly payments once Mark's social security and disability payments begin.
They will need to move the mobile home onto the acre of land, set up utilities, fill their home with groceries and toiletries, and pay any monthly bills - all before any disability or social security begins.
The medical bills have begun to flood in- already totaling over $3000 - with ambulance rides and blood tests. Once the bills from the surgery begin to show, we fear the totals will be well over $15,000.
We have set their need at $10,000 - the truth is that the actual cost of this medical setback and need to move their whole life - is much closer to $30,000.
However, when you are in dire need, every penny counts.
~~~
With no current income, the monetary needs are piling up and the press to move is pushing harder as September approaches and there is no money to pay for another month's rent.
Mark and Sherry need help with medical bills and the cost to move.
Please donate if you can- and share if you cannot donate.
The whole of the Treece family loves and appreciates your support.
Thank you so much. <3
At age 62, Mark has spent the majority of his life working harder than anyone else I've ever known. For the 16 years that I've known him and more- he has been fabricating speciality vehicles. His hand crafted work and breathtaking skill has been seen innumerable times at the North American International Auto Show. It was normal for him to work 60 hours in a week- and sometimes, when a very special project would arise, up to 80.
Not only did he devote so much of his life to his job, he has devoted his life to his wife and kids. Many weekends were spent helping repair family vehicles and doing his best to impart his knowledge and skill on those he was helping. There has always been time for a card game and a family dinner whenever kids and grandkids were visiting.
He has handcrafted bicycles and pieced together motorbikes, welded metal sculptures and whittled intricate wood carvings. He is a true artisan and force to be reckoned with. A spirit of pure hard work and determination with a boundless love for his family. He worked until the job was done, into the night hours, hands scraped and scratched - always giving his all. Mark has never known the meaning of 'give up'.
But sometimes, we don't get to decided when we need to take a break, step down, or walk away from a job.
For Mark, the 60 hour work weeks are over. The stress and strain on his body has been forcibly brought to a halt. It's time to call this part of the job done for him -and time for the rest of us to step up.
~~~
On May 20th, Mark began to feel unwell. After being sent home from work, he fell and hit his head at home. Sherry knew then he needed to go to the hospital. They went into the ER and after some check-up and being told he would need a further look at his arteries - he was sent home.
On May 23rd, Mark suffered a debilitating stroke. While in the hospital it was found that he had a 95% blockage in a carotid artery and would need an immediate surgery. On May 25th, he underwent the arterial surgery.
After many days in the hospital and beginning physical therapy to recover from the stroke, it was also found that Mark would need endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This surgery was supposed to take place in mid July. It ended up being pushed back to August 7th, when Mark tested positive for Coronavirus.
~~~
In the last 3 months, Mark has spent almost two weeks hospitalized - and many more days in and out of doctor's offices for tests. Failing health has taken his job - and with it - the household's only source of income.
Mark is no longer able to work as he once did. In his current physical state, he is not allowed to lift more than eight pounds. The stroke has made his body weak on the left side, the multiple surgeries have left him tired and sensitive to heat. He is constantly stressed, anxious, and barely able to sleep.
Mark and Sherry are in the process of applying for Social Security Disability. Processing an application for SSDI and/or SSI can take three to five months. Once approved, the first payment will be made six months after the agency determines your disability began. For Mark this would be November.
~~~
With no current income, they can no longer afford their home in Michigan.
Luckily, a family member in Arkansas has generously sold them an acre of land. Now the challenge is making the almost 800 mile move amidst a pandemic and with Mark still in need of much recovery.
With $500 for a moving truck, and looking at gas costs of $200 - $250, the base cost of moving is already $750. Family has stepped up to help with the physical move, but there will be additional costs for food and shelter along the way - as Mark cannot travel for long periods of time. This move will easily cost $1000.
They are in the process of obtaining a used mobile home for $10,000. They are working with the promise of monthly payments once Mark's social security and disability payments begin.
They will need to move the mobile home onto the acre of land, set up utilities, fill their home with groceries and toiletries, and pay any monthly bills - all before any disability or social security begins.
The medical bills have begun to flood in- already totaling over $3000 - with ambulance rides and blood tests. Once the bills from the surgery begin to show, we fear the totals will be well over $15,000.
We have set their need at $10,000 - the truth is that the actual cost of this medical setback and need to move their whole life - is much closer to $30,000.
However, when you are in dire need, every penny counts.
~~~
With no current income, the monetary needs are piling up and the press to move is pushing harder as September approaches and there is no money to pay for another month's rent.
Mark and Sherry need help with medical bills and the cost to move.
Please donate if you can- and share if you cannot donate.
The whole of the Treece family loves and appreciates your support.
Thank you so much. <3
Organizer
Lisa Treece
Organizer
Taylor, MI