Of all the places I thought I'd be in 2025, setting up a GoFundMe was not it. My name is Jay Nadeau and this is for my brother Darren and his wife Sheila. I spent most of my life as a firefighter, and this is the first time in a long time I have felt helpless. I am hoping this is my way to make a difference when it is my family in need.

For those that know me, you have more than likely heard me talk of my brother Darren (1 of my 4). For those that don't know me I'm Darren's younger much funnier and better looking brother. Separated by 2 years and a day, we have been close our entire lives. On June 1st of this year, our family was shaken by Darren being admitted to the hospital and later diagnosed with a severe stroke. Regular doctor visits and annual check-ups gave no indication of any problems.

Darren's illness will prevent him from working and require him to exhaust his leave time and be on extended leave without any recurring income in the very near future. Sheila, his wife, has been by his side every day since the stroke and will need to continue in that capacity for the foreseeable future to assist in his recovery. His daughter Kristen, who is a nurse, has also been there for support. Sheila has only been at her job for a few months and does not qualify for FMLA leave, and her current focus needs to be on supporting Darren.

While Darren's condition at this time appears to be stabilizing daily, he still has a long road ahead, a battle he has already proven to the Wake Forest staff he is ready for! The doctors and staff at Wake Forest have estimated he and his wife Sheila are looking at a 6-12 month recovery time before he reaches maximum improvement. What that maximum improvement will be is in Gods hands and we trust that Darren will put in the work and is receptive to Gods plan.

During this time, Sheila, along with my brothers/sister in laws and I hope we can reach out to our friends, extended family, as well as professional colleagues that may be inclined to bless our brother and his family with words of encouragement or a financial donation during this difficult time. Funds will be used for any unmet medical needs and covering the monthly expenses while they are both working on Darren's recovery.

My brother is an amazing man, other than poor taste in Football teams he doesn't have any shortcomings! He is a supervisor for the housing authority and genuinely loves his job, his boss and co-workers and the tenants he interacts with. There is not a single lazy bone in his body, and he won't be at home one day longer than he needs to be. He no doubt will overcome this test with the help of his wife and daughter and his extended family.

We appreciate your words of encouragement, donation, or a simple share of this link to get their needs out.

On behalf of Darren, Sheila, Kristen, their dog Honey, and Darren's brothers (Jeff, Dwayne, Jarrod, and me) and all of the Sister In Laws,

We want to thank everyone for the prayers and reaching out and to both Darren and Sheila's employers for what they have done during this difficult time and support from the Wake Forest Medical staff.

Lastly thank you to everyone who read this story and got to know my family a little bit, God bless!