Firefighter,EMT,Stroke Survivor Needs Your Help

Many of you know my brother, Chris Barnes, Fireman/EMT. If you know Chris, you remember his lively character, always working either at the fire station or his part-time job as the sole income provider for his household. When he wasn't working, he was likely helping one of his sons work on their car or his favorite hobby of restoring his Bronco. He was in good health. Good enough to provide a part-time home for two of his young grandchildren and pass his rigorous annual physical for the fire department.

But many of you don't know the hardship Chris has faced this year. We lost our mother in April. Just following her death, Chris suffered a Pontine stroke. This is typically a catastrophic type of stroke. Chris is one of the very few lucky survivors of this type of stroke. Initially determined to return to firefighting, Chris worked hard in therapy. However, it is now clear that his injuries will, unfortunately, end his beloved career.

Following the stroke, Chris received short-term disability while working through rehab. This covered 60% of only one of his salaries. Short-term disability ran out, and he is not receiving any assistance. Gifts from close family and friends have carried him this far and allowed for Cobra insurance for a short period. Cobra has been discontinued due to a lack of funds. While Chris is applying for disability, this process can take 6+ months. At that point, he will have not received his salary for a year. Due to no medical insurance, Chris is not receiving the continued medical care he needs.

Donations will be used for:

Medical-continued therapy recovery (cardiac, neuro, speech, occupational, and physical therapy)

Mortgage

Utilities

Groceries

Prepping the home for safety and accessibility

I've always admired my brother's heart and courage to run into a burning building and face potential death to save a stranger, be the first to provide support at the scene of a tragic accident or hold the hand of someone in the middle of the night who thinks they can't go on.

Chris is a fighter. His knee surgeon actually told him that he would never be able to pass the physical to be a fireman. That was nine months before he did the opposite. No doubt Chris will fight mentally and physically to recover from this injury. But right now, he could use financial help from the community he has loved to serve and protect for twenty-five years. We all know the helpers in the world are the last to ask for help for themselves. So if you've ever wanted to help your first responders or former military, please consider supporting my brother.

Back info:

-Served US Navy 1990-1994 (Honorable Discharge) Firefighter Ship Board

-Volunteer Firefighter Goose Creek SC, while serving in the Navy

-Graduate Ga Fire Academy 2004

-Paulding County Fire Department Full time 2005-current