Help Ruth go home

Hi, this is Paul Murray.

On December 2nd of last year, my mom, Ruth Murray, had an aneurysm and was air-lifted from Martha's Vineyard Hospital to Mass General in Boston. Since then, she has soldiered on through acute rehab and currently is in an assisted living facility in Harrisburg, PA. She has recovered much of her mobility and is now able to care for most of her own needs.

She is still significantly afflicted with Wernicke's aphasia, however, a condition that severely limits her ability to speak and write. It is very difficult for her to use a phone or computer. Still, it is her clearly-expressed and fervent wish—and my current intent—to return her to her senior housing apartment in the Vineyard early in May.

Those of you who know my mom know what a  creative spirit she is. But she is also intensely private and fiercely self-reliant. No doubt she would be horrified to learn that I have launched this campaign to help her financially. But I really feel I have no recourse other than to turn to family and friends for help. I have been doing my level best to keep up with her mounting and significant debts but have fallen behind. I've also exhausted the financial resources I can currently allocate to her needs.

Moving her back to the Vineyard in itself will be costly. She will require ongoing, in-home assistance for shopping, meal preparation and light housework. 

If you could contribute anything, no matter how small, my family would be deeply grateful. And ultimately, you'll be helping to return the rare bird that is my mother to her natural environment.