Help Iam Get Back on His Feet

Family, friends and colleagues -

Our awesome brother Iam - dad to Cassidy, son to Sebow, partner to Naomi, and kind and loving friend to so, so many - needs our help.

On Sunday Aug 27th, Iam’s world took an unexpected and devastating turn. En route to an Alaskan cruise with Cassidy & Naomi, he suffered what we now know was a stroke, which has severely affected his vision and mobility. This came after 2 weeks of experiencing debilitating migraines back in Miami, FL (where he lives). The search for answers took him to an urgent care, the ER twice, and a neurologist. Each time he was turned away with just pain meds - wow, just WOW.

The cruise was departing from Seattle, so he’s currently being cared for by the AMAZING medical team at UW Valley Medical Hospital in Kent, Washington, far, far away from home.

It’s been a tumultuous and scary week, but we are hopeful the worst is behind us. Iam’s care team believes the sudden onset of thunderclap headaches/migraines and subsequent stroke were tied to Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS), a rare condition that occurs as the result of a sudden constriction (tightening) of the vessels that supply blood to the brain. His neurologist is hopeful that because of his young age, his brain can heal, creating new pathways to help him regain much of his mobility and vision.

However, he has a long road ahead. The next 6 months will require intensive in-patient rehab and physical therapy to get him back on his feet, back to Florida, back to work, and back to fishing in the Keys (the first thing he said wants to do). He’s expected to undergo rehab in Seattle until he is strong enough to travel back to Florida.

Iam has impressed the doctors, nurses and physical therapists with his determination. In between round the clock care, we’ve been jamming to music to keep his spirits lifted and he’s - of course - cracking jokes throughout the day!

As you can imagine, the journey to full restoration in a different state - on a different coast! - means unexpected costs for lodging, food, and rental cars for our family. Fortunately, most medical costs are being covered by his health insurance.

We created this platform to humbly ask for your support with easing the financial burden of Iam's recovery team (his partner and his sisters) who will be there every step of the way

during his recovery. Over the next days, weeks, and months ahead, we will need to be at countless doctor appointments, hospital stays, and rehab visits. Every donation will be used to help us be by his side every (literal) step of the way. Please believe that every little bit helps – “One by one we can fill up this basket...together!”

Thank you for your prayers and well wishes - your positive energy is felt by us and critical to helping get our beloved gentle giant Iam back on his feet and fully restored!

-With our Gratitude,

Kizma, Eartha, Icah, Naomi, Cassidy