Dear Friends,

For the past four years we (Aisling & Nikomo) have been caring for our father, Guy Peartree, through a major health crisis that has included three surgeries and a Parkinson’s diagnosis. Thankfully, after over two years of caring for him on our own as his full-time live-in caregivers, we now have paid caregivers to help us. They have been a lifesaving miracle and have become like family to us, giving Dad all the care, love, and attention that we do. Our caregivers are critical in ensuring Dad's care: they prepare meals, help with bathing and dressing, assist with physical therapy, and so much more.

The cost of care for long-term illness can be incredibly expensive. We have been able to use our income, our savings, Dad’s savings, and Dad’s pension and retirement plans, but that money has dwindled. Like many families struggling with the lack of support from state and federal resources and health insurance plans, we are facing tremendous financial strain - struggling to pay for the caregivers who have supported us so much during this very difficult time. We're doing everything we can to reduce costs, including selling Dad’s house. We live with him and care for him the majority of the time but need our caregivers' help. We set up this GoFundMe to hold us over until the house sells. 

Going above and beyond their basic duties, our caregivers have helped us to give Dad more community, companionship, and love. We could not do this without them. Our caregivers came to us at a time when our family really, really needed the help. Chronic illness, and especially illness presumed “incurable,” can be quite depressing to deal with, both for the patient and their families. Our caregivers have offered us an incredible amount of support. They’ve played a huge part in helping all of us climb out of depression and find our hope again. We are all doing so much better now. Dad has been in such good spirits, laughing and making jokes, just like he used to. It’s a blessing and a relief to have our Dad back!

We’re very hopeful that as Dad improves, he’ll be able to get back to the work he loved so much. Before being forced to retire due to this health crisis, Dad was a college professor who taught writing, philosophy and meditation. He loved reading his students' writing, and his teacher evaluations were bursting with praise for Professor Peartree, the favorite writing teacher who opened the door for students to find themselves as writers. Dad is also an avid reader and book collector, a violinist, singer, and dancer. When he’s feeling better, we want to join a choir with him and take dance classes as a family, to celebrate surviving this difficult chapter together.

We are working diligently to support and provide healing to our father. We love our Dad so much! Anything you can give will mean the world to us as we work to cover the costs of his care, including medical bills and caregiver invoices. 

Thank you so much,

Nikomo & Aisling Peartree