Love for Brian, Violet & Scarlett

Violet Arth-Dukes and her husband Brian struggled for years with infertility. Finally, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl on March 18 and named her Scarlett Rose Dukes. Only one week later, Brian was admitted to the hospital in Shelby, NC. Within three days, he wasa transferred to Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte and admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Only two days later, he was placed on a ventilator and became completely paralyzed due to the syndrome. Violet and Scarlett have moved into the Hospitality House across the street from the hospital in order to be close to Brian.

While Violet and Brian planned for her 6-week unpaid maternity leave, they could not have foreseen the medical bills, housing costs, rehabilitation and more, yet to be determined.

As of April 13, Brian is still in the Charlotte ICU with a tracheotomy, trapped inside his own body. He communicates with a letter board and blinks when Violet reaches the appropriate letter - a slow and arduous process for them both. He uses it to ask about the baby, send messages of love and thanks to friends and family that are supporting them with child care and food, and tell them if he is uncomfortable in any way.

We all recently celebrated when he was able to mouth the words "I Love You" to Violet, but we know that it is going to be a long road of baby steps. Brian has been in the hospital since Scarlett was a week old. Please consider donating to help in the ongoing costst that they will surely face.

For more details, visit the Facebook page for regular updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/512691545506289/