Donate to Terri York's Medical Journey

**All proceeds go directly to Barney and Terri**

Support Terri York in her recovery from a traumatic brain injury

In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 6, while visiting her daughter and son-in-law in Texas, Terri suffered a medical emergency and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. After being observed, it was diagnosed that she was experiencing a severe brain bleed and the hospital in Decatur (TX) advised that they were not equipped to treat Terri’s injury. With time of the essence and her life in serious and immediate danger, Terri was life-flighted by helicopter to Medical City, a renowned care facility in Fort Worth (TX), specializing in brain and neurological trauma. In an attempt to save her life, Terri was rushed into emergency brain surgery; physicians drilled into her skull to repair the site where a fistula had erupted, to stop the flow of new blood, and to remove the significant amount of blood and fluid that had built-up in her head. Barney (Terri’s husband) and Amber (her oldest daughter) were advised that Terri may not survive the high-risk surgery, but that it was the only option to potentially keep her alive.

By the grace of God, Terri made it through the major surgery, as well as several other procedures—many just as risky for her compromised and weakened body—that happened in rapid succession to stabilize her. Against all odds, Terri is a fighter and a woman of faith, and both of these characteristics have allowed her to hang on and carried her to the point where she is today. Terri is currently still in the ICU at Medical City Fort Worth and, while she is making progress, the reality of the situation is that she has a long and challenging road ahead of her. She is gradually being weaned off of sedation, and it remains to be seen what level of cognition and functionality she will have when she does wake. Terri is a survivor, but she is running an ultra-marathon, and only in the early stages of the race. The same road that will ultimately lead her back to the best version of herself is, unfortunately, as expensive as it is necessary.

While the family does not have an exact timeline for her current hospitalization, rehabilitation, future follow-up visits, etc., it is likely that Terri will be in Texas for several weeks—even months. Barney plans to stay indefinitely, but will likely have to travel back and forth between Texas and Maine to maintain things at his home and at his work, The same is true for Terri’s son, Canaan, who travelled out to see his mother and support his dad and sister in her care directly after being informed of the tragic news. Aside from the devastating day that Barney and Amber were both stirred from sleep and found Terri laid out on the floor, in pain and slurring: “My head! My head!” while clutching her head in the precise place her trauma was, the hardest and most humbling part of this entire experience for this family is admitting that there already is (and will be) a need for financial assistance. Still, it is not something they intended to begin discussing at this point. However, so many amazing people from across the country have reached out asking where/when they can send donations and how they can help. And they are as sincere in the pursuit of this information as they are adamant to help.

So, while it is understood that everything in life today is expensive, if you feel inclined to send a gift of financial support to assist Miss Terri (that is what her nurses in ICU call her), it would be greatly appreciated. All funds will be automatically deposited into an account established specifically for this fundraiser by Amber in collaboration with Bangor Savings Bank (an account that can be accessed in both Texas and Maine).

If you know Terri (or Barney), you know that they are as giving and selfless as anyone you will ever come across. They are much more comfortable in the role of blessing others than receiving a blessing themselves, which is why they are individuals whom people are eager to support now that life has dealt them a difficult hand at the present time. Terri has devoted her life to community care and service, and loves her family fiercely. She has 4 children, Canaan, Amber, Sam and Mackenzie, 4 grandchildren (Jaxon, Alex, Rose and Parker), a son-in-law, Jeremy, and two grand dogs, Vida and Tallie, who are her world and she theirs.

Please know that, while the initial reaction to Terri’s medical spiral was shock and devastation, the family firmly believes that God is at work, even in this unfortunate and terrifying situation. Sitting in the ICU room with her, Terri’s family has felt the comfort and power of the constant prayers being sent on her behalf, and have experienced a peace and embraced an unwavering faith that, no matter the outcome, Terri is widely loved and will be supported by them unequivocally…and that God is in control and in the middle of this story. And there are many challenging, exciting and pivotal chapters to come!

God bless you and many thanks!