Give The Rev a Leg to Stand On
Donation protected
In 43 years of ministry, the Rev. Randy MacKenzie has touched thousands of lives. He has opened his home and his heart to people who didn't have anywhere to turn or a leg to stand on.
Last February, while visiting Florida, a medical emergency changed his life forever. An aneurysm ruptured behind his left knee, and he was rushed into emergency surgery. Dr. Wesley and his team at Orlando Regional Medical Center saved his life. But while the surgery was successful in saving his life, but the wound never quite healed. After many days of intensive care in Orlando, he was sent home to continue his recovery. A second aneurysm was discovered in his right leg, and removed without incident, but the left leg continued to be problematic. Several emergency room visits punctuated the spring months, and in mid June, it was decided that the left leg would need to be amputated. The team at Hamilton General Hospital managed to save his life for the second time this year, but it meant removing his leg above the knee.
His recovery has been a process of stops and starts, met with tremendous love and support from the community. While he is learning to get around in a wheelchair, he is missing the independence and flexibility walking on his own can provide. He has been fitted for a prosthetic leg, and has begun the physio required to learn to use it. There have been miraculous breakthroughs in smart technology for prostheses which allow for walking up stairs, walking backwards, overcoming obstacles and standing comfortably, all things which were impossible with older models. A top of the line "smart leg" would allow The Rev to regain mobility and return to his active role in the church and community.
Unfortunately, the cost of such a leg is still unobtainable for Randy and his family alone. That is where you come in. So many people have asked how they can help over the last few months, and this is your opportunity. With just a small donation, you can give him a leg up on the future. There is some funding from insurance and help from other places, but not nearly enough to cover the kind of leg which would give him the greatest mobility.
The Rev would never ask for this kind of help on his own, so we are here to do so on his behalf. In those 43 years of ministry and many years before that, he never turned away someone in need. He has provided safety and shelter, has fed those who are hungry, and has even given away his own frying pan! He has donated to local and worldwide organizations, helping children, orphans, refugees, immigrants, and seasonal workers, to name but a few. His position in downtown churches has meant that many times he has been able to help struggling families get a decent meal and a warm conversation. He has comforted those who are mourning and celebrated weddings and new babies with hundreds of families. If he has touched your life, as he has touched so many before, this is a chance for you to show him how he has made a difference for you.
A decision will have to be made by the end of September what kind of prosthesis he can afford. In true United Church fashion, a benefit potluck dinner will be held on September 20th at 6 pm at Sydenham-Heritage United Church in Brantford, and Randy will be there to celebrate. We would love to see you there.
Thank you to those of you who have already been supportive of our family. The cards, the flowers, the meals, the visits, they all mean so much to us. We are grateful every day to still have our Rev. We hope that with your help, he can stand tall again, a true pillar of our community.
Thank you.
Last February, while visiting Florida, a medical emergency changed his life forever. An aneurysm ruptured behind his left knee, and he was rushed into emergency surgery. Dr. Wesley and his team at Orlando Regional Medical Center saved his life. But while the surgery was successful in saving his life, but the wound never quite healed. After many days of intensive care in Orlando, he was sent home to continue his recovery. A second aneurysm was discovered in his right leg, and removed without incident, but the left leg continued to be problematic. Several emergency room visits punctuated the spring months, and in mid June, it was decided that the left leg would need to be amputated. The team at Hamilton General Hospital managed to save his life for the second time this year, but it meant removing his leg above the knee.
His recovery has been a process of stops and starts, met with tremendous love and support from the community. While he is learning to get around in a wheelchair, he is missing the independence and flexibility walking on his own can provide. He has been fitted for a prosthetic leg, and has begun the physio required to learn to use it. There have been miraculous breakthroughs in smart technology for prostheses which allow for walking up stairs, walking backwards, overcoming obstacles and standing comfortably, all things which were impossible with older models. A top of the line "smart leg" would allow The Rev to regain mobility and return to his active role in the church and community.
Unfortunately, the cost of such a leg is still unobtainable for Randy and his family alone. That is where you come in. So many people have asked how they can help over the last few months, and this is your opportunity. With just a small donation, you can give him a leg up on the future. There is some funding from insurance and help from other places, but not nearly enough to cover the kind of leg which would give him the greatest mobility.
The Rev would never ask for this kind of help on his own, so we are here to do so on his behalf. In those 43 years of ministry and many years before that, he never turned away someone in need. He has provided safety and shelter, has fed those who are hungry, and has even given away his own frying pan! He has donated to local and worldwide organizations, helping children, orphans, refugees, immigrants, and seasonal workers, to name but a few. His position in downtown churches has meant that many times he has been able to help struggling families get a decent meal and a warm conversation. He has comforted those who are mourning and celebrated weddings and new babies with hundreds of families. If he has touched your life, as he has touched so many before, this is a chance for you to show him how he has made a difference for you.
A decision will have to be made by the end of September what kind of prosthesis he can afford. In true United Church fashion, a benefit potluck dinner will be held on September 20th at 6 pm at Sydenham-Heritage United Church in Brantford, and Randy will be there to celebrate. We would love to see you there.
Thank you to those of you who have already been supportive of our family. The cards, the flowers, the meals, the visits, they all mean so much to us. We are grateful every day to still have our Rev. We hope that with your help, he can stand tall again, a true pillar of our community.
Thank you.
Organizer
Penny MacKenzie
Organizer
Brantford, ON
