Helping the Chamberlains's thru Jen's recovery

Hi there my name is Alison Tasker, friend of Craig and Jen Chamberlain since 2004. I had the privilege of working with Craig from 2004 through 2007. This is how I got to meet Jen. When I met her I instantly knew that she was Craig’s rock. Jen is a kind, patient, caring and easy-going person. She is the kind of person you instantly like. Jen and Craig are parents of three young adults, Christopher, Noah and Taylor. They are also the permanent guardians of their beautiful 5 year old granddaughter, Magi.

On April 18, 2021, Jen had a brain aneurysm that ruptured. She required two emergency surgeries. When I first spoke to Craig, he felt so blessed that Jen had made it through the surgeries as the doctors did not think she would survive. They said if she did survive that she probably would not be the same person ever again due to the extensive damage. What they didn’t know is that Jen is a fighter. In the 10 weeks since her aneurysm, she has come a long way… A lot further than the doctors and care teams ever imagined! As of June 23rd, she was back at home with her husband, Craig, 2 of her kids - Noah and Taylor, and with her granddaughter, Magi. Unfortunately, due to three small strokes Jen suffered during her surgery, the brain damage is now on both her right and left side of her brain. Having damaged both sides of the brain it will make her healing and rehabilitation that much longer and more challenging.

As an assistant manager of a retail chain, Jen is able to collect disability benefits but that income is 40% less than what she earned while able to work. To make things even more challenging for Jen and Craig, Craig had lost his retail management position 18 months ago when the company he had been with for 10 years laid off the majority of their senior managers. Due to the challenges of Covid he has not found a new permanent job as of yet. He recently managed to pick up a part-time job but then right after starting the new job Jen had her brain injury. This is a job he is grateful for however there are no benefits so he is not earning any salary right now. Needless to say, it was starting to feel financially tight given Craig‘s full-time job loss 18 months ago. Now Craig is the sole caregiver for his 5 year old granddaughter and also the caregiver for Jen during her recovery. It is unlikely that Craig will be able to go back to work for an undetermined amount of time in order to provide care during Jen’s recovery.

All of this being said, Craig is going to be taking on more expenses to help Jen’s recovery while not having enough incoming incomes for quite some time. I would love to lighten this financial burden for Craig and Jen so that they can focus on getting Jen back to health. She has a long road of rehabilitation and so much to learn all over again. I believe that her time spent with Craig, their kids and their beautiful granddaughter, Magi, will all be so important during her recovery period.

Jen has now been home for a couple of weeks and although she is doing better than she was at the hospitals her memory loss goes deeper than Craig had originally thought. Jen does not have any memory of the family home and often is confused as to what city she is in, whose house she is in and unfortunately there are times she mistakes her children and Craig for her sister or brothers. Craig has been extremely patient and loving and he believes being with Jennifer as much as possible is helping her recovery. Right now he is the only person who can talk Jen out of her confusion and it would be devastating to Jennifer’s recovery if he had to return to work before she has a chance to make some more progress. If all of these challenges weren't enough, on Monday Craig was informed by Jen's government case worker that they were denied any in home care for Jen. This is "because there is help at home"...that help is Craig, who is not working to be there for Jen's care. This decision makes Craig unable to work due to Jen's 24 hour care requirements.

Many have repeatedly asked how they can help Jen, Craig & their family at this most difficult time, this is why we have decided to set up a Go Fund Me page. The hope is that this campaign can assist in their expenses for at least the next 6 months. The money will go directly to Craig and Jen so they can use it for medical expenses, monthly bills and to help with the income loss now that Craig will be unable to work as he is the 24 hour a day caregiver for Jen.

If we can help lessen the financial stress they are going through hopefully we can unburden at least a part of all the difficulties they’re going through.

If you are able to help Jen and Craig at this time, it would be so appreciated. On behalf of the family, extended family and friends, we thank you for your thoughts, prayers and generosity.