Deryl Banks needs help after a paralyzing stroke!

Hi, My name is John and I am a 27-year friend and Deryl's Power of Attorney. Many of you know that on October 16, 2023, after not being able to contact Deryl for many hours, I found him unconscious, lying on the floor in his apartment. No one knows how long he had been there. I immediately contacted 911 and he was rushed to Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. They determined he'd suffered a paralyzing stroke with a brain bleed. It was touch and go, whether he would survive. He could not communicate or move for many days and required a feeding tube and ventilator to breathe for him.

Deryl finally made it out of the ICU, but was hospitalized for 79 days before being released home without physical therapy, and without any assistance for his care. He continues to be bedridden and in need of 24/7 care. He is starting speech therapy this week but at this time, it is difficult to understand him. Due to my age, I cannot continue to be there for him for as many hours as is needed to properly provide for his care. There is no one to help bathe him, feed him, or attend to his daily needs. The hospital had initially indicated that they had started the disability paperwork. I found out Friday, that this may not be true. I hope to know more soon and will start the paperwork for him if necessary. In the meantime, he cannot get the care he needs. He cannot get out of bed and I am worried about blood clots forming, etc.

Deryl's insurance did not cover a much-needed stay at a rehabilitation facility. He does not currently have any income or assets to help provide for his care and is dependent on help from friends.

At the time this happened, Deryl had been working at Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville as a Medical Technician for Physicians. During the past five years, he has received many compliments from those he worked with and was very well-liked. This medical event happened out of the blue and has thrown his life into a tailspin, at just 56 years of age!

We are asking for your help! Please consider donating to help keep his rent, utilities, phone, personal supplies, and other expenses covered, until some form of disability kicks in and we figure out what his long-term prognosis will be.

We are setting a $7000 goal which will assist in covering these costs for 6 months.

I am soon to be 81 years old, and I am living on Social Security. I have done all I can to assist Deryl, but my resources are limited. Won't you please help? Any size donation is appreciated and welcomed. And please help us spread the word. I don't know what else to do.

Sincerely.

John Poppa