Hello friends, family, and kind supporters,

We're reaching out with heavy hearts for my cousin Erik McGee (age 51) and his wife Michaele McGee in Pleasant Hill, California, as they navigate a sudden and life-changing crisis.

Just last week on January 14, 2026, Erik suffered a severe stroke caused by a dissection tear in the right side brain artery. With emergency surgery, doctors inserted 2 short stents in the right brain artery and a tricky one in a branch. This has profoundly impacted his mobility, speech, and daily independence. He's been fighting hard in and out of ICU, with doctors noting early positive signs amid intensive rehabilitation and therapy. It has been a roller coaster of amazing strides forward, but then some setbacks, most recently including a watershed stroke last weekend. The road ahead will be long, but Erik has always been the strong, hardworking provider for his family—a dedicated member of IBEW Local 302 brotherhood. Above all, Erik is a devoted family man and grandpa to his five grandchildren (and father to their five kids). He regularly helps with rides to sports and school pickups, loving nothing more than chatting with the grandkids about their day and being there for every moment.

Michaele, a long-time flight attendant (Virgin, now Alaska Airlines), is by his side, managing her own chronic fibromyalgia while stepping up to care for him. The physical and emotional demands are overwhelming for both.

Our family—myself (Adell), my husband Eric, Erik's brother Anthony and his wife Kristy, plus all our kids—are pitching in however we can, but time is short. Doctors now say Erik could be released to come home in the next two weeks—and the house must be ready.

The home urgently needs modifications to prevent falls and support safe, independent living:

• Wheelchair-accessible entryways (installing sturdy ramps to eliminate steps and fix the uneven front porch).

• Hallway grab bars and possible doorway widening.

• Most critically, a complete bathroom remodel: gutting the existing tub and building a full ADA-compliant roll-in shower with solid stone walls (to avoid dealing with grout), a suitable non-slip base for the shower floor, new hardware including assist handles, adjustable shower head, bench, and other accessibility upgrades.

• New flooring for the master bedroom and bathroom.

• Paint and texture in those areas.

Erik will also need continued outpatient therapy (which appears to have limited in-home coverage, so much may need to be paid out-of-pocket), along with equipment for retrofitting the bathroom and bedroom. We're also facing unexpected out-of-pocket costs for medical bills, ongoing therapy, equipment, and daily support during this critical period.

Without these changes—especially the bathroom remodel—returning home from rehab could be unsafe or impossible.

All funds raised here will go directly toward:

• Home accessibility modifications (ramps, porch leveling, rails, doorway adjustments)

• The major bathroom remodel for an ADA-compliant shower (including solid stone walls, bench, handles, and non-slip features)

• New flooring, paint, texture, and bathroom hardware

• Related medical, rehabilitation (including continued therapy), equipment, and daily living expenses not fully covered.

We're aiming for $25,000 to cover initial quotes and ongoing needs—any amount helps, and we'll provide updates on Erik's recovery progress.

Every contribution—large or small—will help Erik return home safely, regain independence, and reduce the strain on Michaele. Sharing this page or sending positive thoughts also means the world to us.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading this and considering helping during this challenging time. Your support will make a real difference in their healing journey.

With deepest gratitude,

Adell (on behalf of Erik and Michaele McGee) Pleasant Hill, CA