My name is vanessa and i've known AnnMarie and Rowyn for years (Rowyn was my roommate decades ago). They have become dear friends and right now it seems they just can't catch a break.

AnnMarie is a teacher, but not just any teacher, she teaches students with severe emotional and behavioral exceptionalities. On the second to the last day of school she fell moving some books in her classroom. She knew it was bad when she tried to move and saw that her left leg from the knee down just dangled. Still calm she instructed her behavior coach to go to the office and have them call 911. Her most challenging student took charge and had students move the books from the floor and even had them push the furniture out of the way so the firefighters could get the gurney through. That is the kind of teacher she is. She takes the kids that others have given up on and gets to know them. They know that she sees them and loves them no matter what. The day she fell just reminded her that there is hope and that her kids are not to be forgotten or given up on. Her kids were the first to help their teacher.

AnnMarie broke her femur and her knee. The surgeon said that he put every plate, rod, pin, wire, and whatever else to put her leg back together. She was in the hospital for 5 days and moved to a rehab hospital that was all wrong for her. She stayed there for 3 long weeks, not getting the therapy and nutrition she needed. She was finally moved to the most appropriate rehab hospital where they took great care of her and pushed her in three hours of physical and occupational therapy every day. She stayed there for two weeks. She is now home trying to adapt to her new normal (for now). She has had to learn to walk again and still uses a walker around the house and for short periods. If there is any walking for a long time, she still must use a wheelchair. She is still in outpatient PT to build her strength and stamina.

Her wife Rowyn, her children, family, and friends have all been there to help in her recovery. Even as she gets stronger there are items and equipment she will need around the house just to be safe. For example, there will need to be handrails on both sides of the stairs and the existing ones reinforced, shower bars are needed in the shower, as the suction cup models are not reliable, and so on. Of course, none of this is covered under insurance or if it is it’s not much. Everyone works hard to save their money but you never know when something like this will happen and you have to dip into that savings just to make ends meet. This is a very good hard-working family who seems to fall on more than their fair share of hard times. Please if you find it in your heart to give something back to a family that has given so much of themselves, they all would greatly appreciate it.

AnnMarie is very worried about the looming school start date of August 31st. It’s her goal to begin the school year, but it’s up to her doctors and school administration as to whether she will or not. All she can do is continue to work hard, get stronger, and walk again free and clear. Please help her reach her goal, without having to worry about finances.