Help for Betsy Simon

We are the siblings and spouses of our sister, Betsy Simon. Anyone who knows Betsy, knows her to be a kind, caring person who has and will continue to give her all when the need presents itself. Due to some very difficult and unexpected circumstances since the beginning of the year, including a serious recent accident, Betsy is in real need of financial help.

In January, Pat (Betsy’s life partner and father of her children) became unable to care for himself as the cancer took its final toll on his body. Betsy continued to work full time, using all of her remaining paid time off to help him. She and Maggie (along with Ryan and Eric when they could) looked after him, and eventually she moved in to provide 24-hour care for Pat, making it possible for him to die at home. Betsy continued to work with the kids to honor Pat’s final wishes through to the end, which included additional time off to help to prepare a memorial service, to move things out of Pat’s apartment, and settle his final expenses and details.

Betsy returned to work as soon as she could. She was able to accrue additional time off for the summer and made up for lost wages by working as much overtime as they would allow. Betsy was also looking for a second job to boost her income. She was back on her feet and making real progress. Then, on July 30, when on vacation and while hiking a steep climb at Peninsula State Park the ground gave way. Betsy fell and rolled ten feet down a stony embankment, necessitating a rescue with two ambulance rides to hospitals in Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay. The results of the tests revealed a skull fracture, small brain bleed, concussion, a laceration requiring six staples and an overnight stay in the hospital. Now that she is home she initially had some issues with hearing and has completely lost her sense of smell. She has had several follow-up appointments, and has been directed by her doctor to follow concussion protocol, which is to go on short term disability for six weeks. If approved, the short term disability will only cover 70% of her earnings. Additionally, she has some staggering medical bills from this accident, which will be very difficult for her to recover from. Her employer has been very supportive, and while on FMLA her job is on hold until she is fully recovered from her brain injury.

Many of you have asked if there is anything that you can do for Betsy as she recovers from all this hardship. She has so appreciated the abundance of prayers, well wishes, and good thoughts that have upheld her this whole time. If you are able to share monetarily, anything would be so much appreciated. As we have often heard, and now witness, most Americans are one major illness away from losing everything. Thank you all for your support in any way you can.

Gratefully,

Debbie, Ron, Joannie, Don, Chrissie, Jim, John and Jan