$20,485 raised
·399 donations
Wyatt Keeley’s Family's Urgent Need
Donation protected
***Update 1/1/2021***
My name is Margaret and I’ve asked the Keeley family if I can share their story and hopefully bring some long-needed respite and care to them.
It is never easy for anyone to talk about their challenges or reach out for help, but we have an amazing and caring community and Joanne is an incredible friend, mom and caregiver who needs us now.
Many in our town know the Keeleys and loved Wyatt. He was an amazing young man and loved his mom and siblings. Wyatt struggled with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, diagnosed at age 3, and experienced its debilitating effects until he passed on December 22nd.
He was an advocate for himself and never stopped working to try and meet his own medical needs, so he wouldn’t be a burden to his mom.
In 2014 when he needed a handicapped van for his mom to transport him in, he raised all the funds to buy a 2005 van - nothing fancy, but with all the accessibility and safety features he required due to his condition. He again raised the money needed for his shower buddy chair when insurance denied him. And again in 2019 he tried to raise money for a newer van (the 14-year-old vehicle needed to be replaced) but sadly did not live long enough to raise enough for a new vehicle that could meet his needs.
Wyatt’s mom, brother and sister devoted their care to him, putting their own lives and futures on hold so that they could keep Wyatt at home in his last months. All three became certified caregivers for Wyatt, during a time when the COVID virus demanded they all be cautious.
Sarah chose to remain at home and go to college at WCSU instead of UCONN where she had been accepted. Dylan worked, went to college and cared for Wyatt and his mom, chipping in funds from his job. This incredibly loving family wrapped their lives around Wyatt, knowing that eventually his disease would cut his life short.
This world will never know what Wyatt could have achieved if he had been healthy, but those who knew and loved him know that their lives are better for him being in it, even for a brief time.
Joanne has spent the last seven weeks leading up to Christmas in a hospital room with Wyatt.
Because of all the precautions in the hospital, and Wyatt’s pleas to have her by his side continuously, she couldn’t even leave to take a shower. When she finally left the hospital on December 22, it was to come home without her beloved son.
She and her children are devastated at losing him.
The family now faces an immediate future when most would need time to grieve, but instead they must try and find a way to pay their mounting bills, school loans, and meet every day needs like food while they put their lives back together.
Joanne is physically and mentally exhausted but must get healthy enough to find employment. This is not an easy thing to do when you have spent so many years caring for an ill child, healing takes time.
We, her friends, want to give her that gift of time.
We have a goal to raise $30,000 to pay the family’s bills for four-six months. Sarah has already raised $12,000, a true advocate like her brother.
It is not easy asking for help when you are a college student. Let’s give them the gift of time to heal, while we all help heat their home, feed them, support their education, ensure they have adequate transportation, and keep them in their home.
**Gift cards are always welcome for groceries if you live in town**
Thank you for helping to hold up the Keeleys during this difficult time.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Update 12/22/2020*************
It is with the heaviest and saddest of hearts to write this. Early yesterday morning, our sweet Wyatt passed away. He fought long and hard and, at this moment, we find our only comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain. While this started as us asking for help to get through the financial stress endured as we waited for our Wyatt to return, we ask that, if you can, please continue to help us as now, we definitively have no source of income coming in. Thank you for your continue support, prayers and concerns. Love, Joanne, Dylan & Sarah
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On November 2nd, Wyatt was admitted to the hospital for pain in his side. This has turned into a series of different invasive surgeries, such as chest surgeries, gall bladder draining, and trach surgery, etc. Wyatt has also developed Pneumonia while being in the hospital. He has lost his ability to communicate vocally and he is currently developing a way to communicate. Our entire family is registered as Personal Care Assistants, but since he has been in the hospital under different care, there is no income coming into our household. We are struggling with the emotional burden of Wyatt's physical state while dealing with a financial burden. We would appreciate any support you can give us to get our family back on track.
My name is Margaret and I’ve asked the Keeley family if I can share their story and hopefully bring some long-needed respite and care to them.
It is never easy for anyone to talk about their challenges or reach out for help, but we have an amazing and caring community and Joanne is an incredible friend, mom and caregiver who needs us now.
Many in our town know the Keeleys and loved Wyatt. He was an amazing young man and loved his mom and siblings. Wyatt struggled with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, diagnosed at age 3, and experienced its debilitating effects until he passed on December 22nd.
He was an advocate for himself and never stopped working to try and meet his own medical needs, so he wouldn’t be a burden to his mom.
In 2014 when he needed a handicapped van for his mom to transport him in, he raised all the funds to buy a 2005 van - nothing fancy, but with all the accessibility and safety features he required due to his condition. He again raised the money needed for his shower buddy chair when insurance denied him. And again in 2019 he tried to raise money for a newer van (the 14-year-old vehicle needed to be replaced) but sadly did not live long enough to raise enough for a new vehicle that could meet his needs.
Wyatt’s mom, brother and sister devoted their care to him, putting their own lives and futures on hold so that they could keep Wyatt at home in his last months. All three became certified caregivers for Wyatt, during a time when the COVID virus demanded they all be cautious.
Sarah chose to remain at home and go to college at WCSU instead of UCONN where she had been accepted. Dylan worked, went to college and cared for Wyatt and his mom, chipping in funds from his job. This incredibly loving family wrapped their lives around Wyatt, knowing that eventually his disease would cut his life short.
This world will never know what Wyatt could have achieved if he had been healthy, but those who knew and loved him know that their lives are better for him being in it, even for a brief time.
Joanne has spent the last seven weeks leading up to Christmas in a hospital room with Wyatt.
Because of all the precautions in the hospital, and Wyatt’s pleas to have her by his side continuously, she couldn’t even leave to take a shower. When she finally left the hospital on December 22, it was to come home without her beloved son.
She and her children are devastated at losing him.
The family now faces an immediate future when most would need time to grieve, but instead they must try and find a way to pay their mounting bills, school loans, and meet every day needs like food while they put their lives back together.
Joanne is physically and mentally exhausted but must get healthy enough to find employment. This is not an easy thing to do when you have spent so many years caring for an ill child, healing takes time.
We, her friends, want to give her that gift of time.
We have a goal to raise $30,000 to pay the family’s bills for four-six months. Sarah has already raised $12,000, a true advocate like her brother.
It is not easy asking for help when you are a college student. Let’s give them the gift of time to heal, while we all help heat their home, feed them, support their education, ensure they have adequate transportation, and keep them in their home.
**Gift cards are always welcome for groceries if you live in town**
Thank you for helping to hold up the Keeleys during this difficult time.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Update 12/22/2020*************
It is with the heaviest and saddest of hearts to write this. Early yesterday morning, our sweet Wyatt passed away. He fought long and hard and, at this moment, we find our only comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain. While this started as us asking for help to get through the financial stress endured as we waited for our Wyatt to return, we ask that, if you can, please continue to help us as now, we definitively have no source of income coming in. Thank you for your continue support, prayers and concerns. Love, Joanne, Dylan & Sarah
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On November 2nd, Wyatt was admitted to the hospital for pain in his side. This has turned into a series of different invasive surgeries, such as chest surgeries, gall bladder draining, and trach surgery, etc. Wyatt has also developed Pneumonia while being in the hospital. He has lost his ability to communicate vocally and he is currently developing a way to communicate. Our entire family is registered as Personal Care Assistants, but since he has been in the hospital under different care, there is no income coming into our household. We are struggling with the emotional burden of Wyatt's physical state while dealing with a financial burden. We would appreciate any support you can give us to get our family back on track.
Donations
Organizer
Sarah Keeley
Organizer
New Fairfield, CT