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Many of you are aware that over the past few months, the Holleman family has been traveling back and forth from their new home in Vail, Colorado to Rochester, Minnesota and Grand Rapids, Michigan for various medical appointments.
Unfortunately, when Brett, Karen and the kids were fixing up their new place in Vail, Brett slipped off a ladder and fell directly on his elbow. And broke it. What seemed like an unlucky incident earlier this year, has become a life-changing health event when the first few surgeries were not successful. On top of this, Brett developed serious infections that required ongoing IV antibiotic treatments before another surgery could happen.
Because of the complexity of Brett’s initial fracture along with the dangerous infection, there were very few options to receive the necessary care. So, with Brett’s experience at Mayo Clinic with his broken jaw, his previous employment at the Clinic, and their connection to a great physician – Dr. O'Driscoll – through their church in Rochester, Brett was able to return to Mayo for care. And his broken elbow case became Dr. O'Driscoll’s along with Mayo’s team of highly specialized infectious disease doctors.
All of this has required ongoing travel for surgeries, and check-ups with physicians in Rochester, Minnesota, with a number of airline flights, hotel nights, rental cars, meals out, and reduced hours at work.
Additionally, when the Holleman’s adopted Owen from China, they knew that he needed a number of surgeries to repair his cleft pallet. In July, he saw his oral surgeon for the last planned surgery at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. Everything went well, and many of us were able to hear Owen’s clear, strong voice after the surgery. We give thanks for ‘O’ and his ability to communicate creative ideas in a full-bodied voice. Again, more airline flights, hotel nights, rental cars, meals out, and reduced hours at work.
As many of us can imagine, all of this unexpected travel along with co-pays, co-insurance, and higher deductible health plans is causing financial stress, which does not promote healing. Personally, I can attest to having unexpected bills when complications from my Crohn’s Disease caused me to be on and off work for several years, with travels to Chicago and Pittsburgh to see the best physicians possible. Fortunately for our family, many people rallied and provided us with unrequested love gifts of cash, Meijer gift cards, gas cards, meals, et cetera. This meant so much to us and allowed us to get through the experience without significant financial issues. In fact, Brett was one of the people who helped organize friends to support us when we were in Pittsburgh looking at a long stay.
So it is time to return the blessing. I am hoping you can join Amy and me in providing love gifts to the Holleman family. There are two options to make this happen. The first is maybe old fashioned, but doesn't have any overhead costs, and that is to actually write a check, buy a Wal-Mart Gift Card (which is close to their home) or donate some plane tickets (maybe via frequent flier miles) to assist Brett, Karen, Sam, Annika, and Owen in this ongoing health journey. These can be sent to the Holleman’s address:
Brett & Karen Holleman
PO Box 9489
Avon, CO 81620
The other is to utilize GoFundMe.com, and donate here.
Either way would be a blessing to the Holleman family. Thanks so much for your support. I know it will mean a great deal.
Matthew & Amy VanZetten
Unfortunately, when Brett, Karen and the kids were fixing up their new place in Vail, Brett slipped off a ladder and fell directly on his elbow. And broke it. What seemed like an unlucky incident earlier this year, has become a life-changing health event when the first few surgeries were not successful. On top of this, Brett developed serious infections that required ongoing IV antibiotic treatments before another surgery could happen.
Because of the complexity of Brett’s initial fracture along with the dangerous infection, there were very few options to receive the necessary care. So, with Brett’s experience at Mayo Clinic with his broken jaw, his previous employment at the Clinic, and their connection to a great physician – Dr. O'Driscoll – through their church in Rochester, Brett was able to return to Mayo for care. And his broken elbow case became Dr. O'Driscoll’s along with Mayo’s team of highly specialized infectious disease doctors.
All of this has required ongoing travel for surgeries, and check-ups with physicians in Rochester, Minnesota, with a number of airline flights, hotel nights, rental cars, meals out, and reduced hours at work.
Additionally, when the Holleman’s adopted Owen from China, they knew that he needed a number of surgeries to repair his cleft pallet. In July, he saw his oral surgeon for the last planned surgery at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. Everything went well, and many of us were able to hear Owen’s clear, strong voice after the surgery. We give thanks for ‘O’ and his ability to communicate creative ideas in a full-bodied voice. Again, more airline flights, hotel nights, rental cars, meals out, and reduced hours at work.
As many of us can imagine, all of this unexpected travel along with co-pays, co-insurance, and higher deductible health plans is causing financial stress, which does not promote healing. Personally, I can attest to having unexpected bills when complications from my Crohn’s Disease caused me to be on and off work for several years, with travels to Chicago and Pittsburgh to see the best physicians possible. Fortunately for our family, many people rallied and provided us with unrequested love gifts of cash, Meijer gift cards, gas cards, meals, et cetera. This meant so much to us and allowed us to get through the experience without significant financial issues. In fact, Brett was one of the people who helped organize friends to support us when we were in Pittsburgh looking at a long stay.
So it is time to return the blessing. I am hoping you can join Amy and me in providing love gifts to the Holleman family. There are two options to make this happen. The first is maybe old fashioned, but doesn't have any overhead costs, and that is to actually write a check, buy a Wal-Mart Gift Card (which is close to their home) or donate some plane tickets (maybe via frequent flier miles) to assist Brett, Karen, Sam, Annika, and Owen in this ongoing health journey. These can be sent to the Holleman’s address:
Brett & Karen Holleman
PO Box 9489
Avon, CO 81620
The other is to utilize GoFundMe.com, and donate here.
Either way would be a blessing to the Holleman family. Thanks so much for your support. I know it will mean a great deal.
Matthew & Amy VanZetten