Andy Strong #57

HI, my name is Amanda. Most of you are aware of my favorites peoples story. 2.5 years ago my best friend and her family were faced with the unimaginable. Heather and Dave's baby went camping with family friends. When Heather and Dave kissed Andy goodbye and told him to have a good time, they were unaware of the events that would follow. They watched there baby leave happy, vibrant and with a lifetime of memories to make. The next time they would see their baby would be in an ICU hooked up to a ventilator and fighting for his life.

While away making memories with a friend, Andy went for a swim, he went under water and did not reemerge. No-one is quite sure how long Andy was under, but we can gather that he was at least submerged for 20 minutes. The days that followed are a blur to everyone. Ultimately Heather, Dave and their children were faced with a difficult decision, one that no parent should have to make. Unhook their son from life support, their son who still appeared to be fighting, or keep him attached to the life saving machines. The choice they made, was to put their trust in the lord and allow god to decide. God decided Andy is not finished with his time here on this earth. We don't know gods timeline, but we do know he decided to keep Andy here to fight.

So here they are, fighting. Heather and Dave have devoted themselves to caring for Andy. They get some help a few days a week for a few hours a day, but for the majority of the time , it is just Heather and Dave. Not once have they complained nor not showed up to give their son the most absolute best care they can.

All Heather and Dave have ever truly asked for, are continued prayers for their son. However, you and I both know that Andy's medical and physical care is and will be costly. There are many therapies that Insurance will not cover, considering them medically unnecessary. The clinical and scientific data in these therapies have been proven to be beneficial for patients with traumatic brain injury. The patient outcomes on these therapies have shown significant improvements in the patients quality of life.

The most important item for Andy at this time is a sand bed. Due to immobility Andy develops horrific sores at his pressure points from the regular hospital bed mattress. Heather and Dave move Andy multiple times a day, they shower him , they change his position and they even move him to a chair to help alleviate some of the pressure being put on Andy's body. However, these open wounds are still developing. Insurance will only provide the sand bed until the wounds begin to heal. Even though it shows the sand bed is beneficial in preventing bed sores and open wound infections.

Heather and Dave would never ask for monetary donations to help purchase this sand bed for Andy, but I will. I know each and everyone one us can try to imagine ourselves in Heather and Dave's position. Try to imagine, knowing what your child so desperately needs to heal and not being able to provide it for them. We all have the ability to help, to make a difference in this world. We have the ability to show love and kindness and not spread hate. I ask if you are able, please consider donating. Make a difference. I know not everyone is in a position to give monetarily so I ask for your continued prayers for Andy's healing. For the family, both Heather and Dave and their two other children, Mary and Danny. God Bless each and everyone of you. From the bottom of my heart and the snook family, you have all been a ray of hope in a dark storm.