Stand with Sean Perryman! #OPERATIONBONCE

It was bedtime when the text came through our family’s group chat:
 
“Hey everyone – I’m not sure who has talked to Mom yet, but Jessica had to call an ambulance for Boncey. I called work and they advised he was transported as a Code Stroke.”
 
Code Stroke. Compared to codes regularly heard on television medical dramas that sound ominous but remain vague – Code Red, Code Blue – this one’s name/meaning wasn’t labeled with a color. It was easy to understand. Everyone knows the general meaning of the word: stroke. Why, then, was this text so incomprehensible?
 
For those who didn’t grow up with him, Boncey (or Bonce) is a family nickname given to our brother: Sean. None can truly recall how it came to be, but similar to the nicknames all eight Perryman siblings have for each other, Boncey may as well be on Sean’s birth certificate. On July 2nd at just 38 years of age, Sean suffered a stroke.
 
Like most adults with work early the next day, Sean contemplated sleep. He was tooling around his garage when suddenly he no longer felt in control of all his faculties (Later he would share that his first thought was, “Oh my God, I’m having a stroke.”). He grabbed his phone to call his partner, Jess, who had started to doze in the other room with their 5-year old daughter, Olivia. When she didn’t answer, Sean managed to drag himself to the door leading into the house and cried out before crashing to the kitchen floor. Approximately 12 hours passed – hours filled with surgeries, procedures, and fervent prayers – before we learned that Sean suffered a basal ganglia intraparenchymal hemorrhage, the most severe of stroke types. As a result, Sean was completely paralyzed on the left side of his body, to include not being able to see out of his left eye.
 
There are certain things in life that you can never fully prepare for; things that may seem unreal or unfair, unreasonable or unjust. And while it may be true that “that which does not kill us makes us stronger,” it could also be said that “that which does not kill you can make you extremely vulnerable.” Both of these statements ring true in Sean’s case. Fortunately, his faith guides both him and his perseverance. If you know Bonce, you know that he loves and trusts his God, and consequently is the first and last to say “it CAN be done” and “WE can do it.” A Marine Veteran who steadily displays the Corps’ values of Honor_Courage_Commitment until every battle is won, Sean has a dogged determination to return to life as he knew it. No man is an island, though, and he needs the support of any and all who have the gifts to provide that support.
 
In just under three months, Sean has made significant progress in his recovery. This is, in part, due to his age and ability to “bounce back” faster than the “typical” stroke victim (nearly 75% of strokes occur in adults over the age of 65 years). Despite his improvements, the fact remains that he still has a long and winding road ahead of him. Sean still requires round-the-clock care, as does his young daughter, and our family has been there for his every step of the way. However, and in addition to these new physical and mental hurdles he faces day in and day out, Sean still has the responsibilities of life that we all face. He has not yet returned to his job and has no date of return; and while he has been assured it will be there when he is ready, Boncey’s current financial burdens are accumulating at a rate faster than he can manage. Rent, utilities, childcare, as well as certain medical procedures, equipment and prescriptions not covered by insurance are taking a toll on Sean’s capacity to focus on his healing. He genuinely is a man who, time and time again, offers his own sweat and talent to help others. But he’s not a man keen on asking for assistance, and assistance is what he needs. If you cannot donate monetarily, please know your prayers are always appreciated. Additionally, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your network.

Thank YOU!