For My Artie
Don protégé
On May 5, I lost my person, more than a friend, more than family: a part of me. He was the one I could say anything to, the one who knew all, the one who made me eye-rolling crazy, and the one I wanted to call every day and any time something made me laugh or cry. For 27 years, despite the inevitable hurts and falling outs, he was unfailingly there for me, through the worst and the everyday, letting me be me. How amazingly rare is that?
Arthur Steven Potts passed away alone in an ICU after enduring intubation, dropping blood pressure, insufficient oxygen, and a fever of 106. Like other Covid patients, he spent his worst days without the sounds or caresses of his loved ones, and as he left abruptly, I did not get the one 30-minute-goodbye visit allowed. The doctors and nurses did all they could to be kind, but you know this is not the same.
Arthur survived a serious car accident in 2010 when his brakes failed on I-95. His leg was shoved 4 inches into his pelvis bone, snapping it. He survived days in traction, tricky surgery, 4 months of being stuck in a bed, and 3 more months trying to walk. His fortitude and endurance were amazing, and he walked! (or as I joked, "toddled.")
Sadly, he had to leave his job as a community support specialist for Town Watch Integrated Services under the managing director's office for the city of Philadelphia, a job he truly loved. He was never able to work again. He not only lost one reason he woke up but also his benefits and life insurance.
In March of 2019, he was battling with yet another infection caused by the nerve damage and injuries sustained in the accident. Living in a rehab center, he battled an infection for 10 months, dieted, and struggled to stand. His infected leg finally under control, he said he was living to come home, to be with his cats and feel free- his only goal for far too many months. There was more he wanted to do with his life.
I got a letter announcing that someone at the center tested positive on April 17th. Art was rushed to the hospital on April 27th. He was admitted to the ICU with pneumonia and Covid-19. After two days on a biPAP, he was able to breathe on his own, and his doc said he was the least sick of the many sick. As there were not enough beds, he was quickly transferred to a step down unit. On April 30, he chatted briefly with each of his closest friends. The next day, he was talking about Honey Nut Cheerios and very happy about a banana. On May 2 around 2:00, he was unable to talk without coughing but asked me to talk to him so he could hear my voice. I never heard his again. He was intubated that night.
His income went to the rehab for months. I need to raise money for the funeral home, a memorial, and burial.
Artie dedicated his life to helping others, winning every community-service award the city of Philadelphia presents before he spent years working to make communities safer by tirelessly trying to resolve conflicts and teaching neighbors to collaborate with each other and the police.
Most importantly, he made the world a better place by being a gentle, sincere man who showed genuine concern for everyone he ever met.
Now, I am hoping others will help him.
Arthur Steven Potts passed away alone in an ICU after enduring intubation, dropping blood pressure, insufficient oxygen, and a fever of 106. Like other Covid patients, he spent his worst days without the sounds or caresses of his loved ones, and as he left abruptly, I did not get the one 30-minute-goodbye visit allowed. The doctors and nurses did all they could to be kind, but you know this is not the same.
Arthur survived a serious car accident in 2010 when his brakes failed on I-95. His leg was shoved 4 inches into his pelvis bone, snapping it. He survived days in traction, tricky surgery, 4 months of being stuck in a bed, and 3 more months trying to walk. His fortitude and endurance were amazing, and he walked! (or as I joked, "toddled.")
Sadly, he had to leave his job as a community support specialist for Town Watch Integrated Services under the managing director's office for the city of Philadelphia, a job he truly loved. He was never able to work again. He not only lost one reason he woke up but also his benefits and life insurance.
In March of 2019, he was battling with yet another infection caused by the nerve damage and injuries sustained in the accident. Living in a rehab center, he battled an infection for 10 months, dieted, and struggled to stand. His infected leg finally under control, he said he was living to come home, to be with his cats and feel free- his only goal for far too many months. There was more he wanted to do with his life.
I got a letter announcing that someone at the center tested positive on April 17th. Art was rushed to the hospital on April 27th. He was admitted to the ICU with pneumonia and Covid-19. After two days on a biPAP, he was able to breathe on his own, and his doc said he was the least sick of the many sick. As there were not enough beds, he was quickly transferred to a step down unit. On April 30, he chatted briefly with each of his closest friends. The next day, he was talking about Honey Nut Cheerios and very happy about a banana. On May 2 around 2:00, he was unable to talk without coughing but asked me to talk to him so he could hear my voice. I never heard his again. He was intubated that night.
His income went to the rehab for months. I need to raise money for the funeral home, a memorial, and burial.
Artie dedicated his life to helping others, winning every community-service award the city of Philadelphia presents before he spent years working to make communities safer by tirelessly trying to resolve conflicts and teaching neighbors to collaborate with each other and the police.
Most importantly, he made the world a better place by being a gentle, sincere man who showed genuine concern for everyone he ever met.
Now, I am hoping others will help him.
Organisateur
Tracy Tompkins
Organisateur
Bristol, PA