Adam’s new heart and new car

In 1979 my older brother Adam was born with a rare and severe heart defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries. Adam underwent and survived open heart surgery shortly after he was born. The surgery he underwent was a relatively new procedure and doctors were not yet sure of the life expectancy. Although he made it through as a tiny baby our mother was told that the doctors were not sure if he would make it to his teens. For the last 44 years Adam has defied the odds just by waking up to a new morning.

Unfortunately in the last few years his heart has begun to fail, something we knew would eventually occur even with multiple interventions, but hoped would never happen. A pacemaker was put in his chest about five years ago but over this last summer signs of progressive and advanced heart failure began to occur and just before November Adam was admitted to the University of Minnesota hospital to await a heart transplant. He is currently sitting on the list as a 2 on a scale of 1-6, one being the most urgent 6 being the least.

Because he could be moved to a 1 at any moment or could possibly receive a heart as 2 at any moment he is required to remain at the hospital at all times.

Adam being 50 miles away, having no reliable vehicle and his wife Megan working extra hours to try and make ends meet has disturbed any sense of normalcy them and their young son Patrick had before.

Having only one income currently and the cost of healthcare looming over them has created an intense amount of stress for my brother and his wife and son. When their vehicle is working they have to contend with gas prices and taking time off work to see Adam in the hospital.

Stress is good for very few people but for someone waiting for a heart transplant it is deadly.

I’m creating this go fund me to ask people for help with raising funds to find my brother and his family a reliable vehicle so they can visit Adam while he waits for a donor heart, and to help with the cost of gas and other necessities.

Many families understand the stress and uncertainty of what out family is going through now, and many spouses and children of CHD patients understand the fear and stress of waiting for a heart to arrive. My brother has lived his entire life with this uncertainty so my family and I are asking for help hoping to see at least the weight of an unreliable car lifted from his shoulders.

Any amount donated will be beyond greatly appreciated. Our hopes are to raise enough money for them to be able to purchase a safe and fully operational vehicle.

My brother helped raise me and his other two younger siblings while our mom worked two jobs to provide, he cooked dinners for us, walked us to school, took us trick or treating, reminded us to shower, he even braided my hair, and helped keep the house clean but most importantly he never let the uncertainty keep him from being a good brother and son. Now he is a wonderful father and husband as well. He deserves some relief from the uncertainty of life, even if it’s just having a car that works.

Thank you in advance for any form of help, and please share this on your social media.