Support for the Love Family
Melissa Love -- beloved by so many for her zany sense of humor, her limitless generosity, and her love of family -- needs our help.
On August 7, 2018, Melissa underwent surgery to correct her severe case of spondylolistheis, a spine condition in which vertebrae slip forward onto the bones below them. She had been told if she didn't have the complicated, 6-hour surgery, it's likely she'd be confined to a wheelchair in the coming years.
Her surgery went well -- though it lasted 10 hours! -- and then she developed a significant complication. Compartment syndrome occurred due to tissue swelling, and it constricted blood flow to her right leg. Her husband said, "Her leg was the color of a grape Popsicle."
Thankfully doctors performed an emergency fasciotomy (Google the term and look at photos of the procedure only if you're sitting down and not eating) to try to save Melissa's leg. At this time, it's still "wait and see" whether she'll be able to keep it, but our strong friend is recovering in the hospital and making slow progress each day.
Regardless, this unexpected complication means that Melissa will be out of work as a contract behavior specialist much longer (months!) than originally thought. This loss of family income is weighing heavily on her.
She does not have any short- or long-term disability coverage. Since she has a pre-existing condition, osteogenesis imperfecta, no company would insure her for such coverage.
In addition, her husband is incurring additional unexpected expenses that are adding up. For example, he's regularly filling up the car with gas with daily trips back and forth to the hospital.
Melissa has tirelessly given back to her community. She's volunteered for the Parent Teacher Student Associations at Madison's schools for 13 years. She was a Girl Scout leader for years until her daughter Madison earned her Gold Award, constantly organizing volunteer and community service for her troop. On her own, she plans and executes Thanksgiving basket drives and Christmas toy drives for those less fortunate in and around her Avalon neighborhood in Orlando.
Now it's time for us to support the supporter!
Melissa would never in a million years directly ask for financial help for her family. But I will. I'm hoping this fund will raise a little extra cash to help put Melissa's mind at ease while she focuses on her recovery (we're talking months of physical therapy to walk again).
She's touched *so* many people over the years with her infectious personality -- from her high school and college friends, to work colleagues and her spondy support group, to her Tap Fam and her fellow dance moms, to the May Mommies she met online 19 years ago.
Every donation -- big or small -- will help the Love Family in their time of need.
Thanks so much for your support!
Love,
Kara Williams (one of those May Mommies)
