Help Bring Edward Back

On December 13th, our dearest friend, Edward Azria, who was like family to so many, had a “widowmaker” heart attack, alone in his apartment in South Beach. Edward, who was always the life of the party, was also seemingly healthy, ate well and exercised, and ready to enjoy his second winter in Miami as a snowbird. Many of us were jealous of Ed’s love for life and adventure, and his ability to always have a good time and make new friends. He was doing this in South Beach up until the evening of December 13th. About to go out to a dinner party with, of course, new friends he had easily made, he suddenly felt the worst pain of his life and had the wherewithal to call 911 himself and open his door.

The EMTs came and had to revive Edward, who was already in cardiac arrest. At the hospital, he arrested again. Edward was in a coma for weeks. Tests showed that he had a lack of oxygen to his brain which could mean anything. Would he ever wake up? Would he be able to speak? Walk? Know his name? If he did wake up, and if he did, would he still be Edward?

Amazingly, Edward came through the physical trauma and was released from the ICU in Miami and then spent time in a rehab facility for another few weeks. Now, back at his childhood home in Syracuse with his brother Seth, Edward is embarking on a long, cognitive rehabilitation journey. Edward suffered damage to his temporal lobe which has been affecting his memory and ability to retain new information greatly. We see Edward’s personality coming through and know with therapy we can get the witty, smart, always hilarious Edward back! For his best chance at a full recovery, he needs daily cognitive therapy, which is expensive and not fully covered by insurance. Without an income and limited insurance coverage for this, we are asking all of you for help.

At $150/session, several days per week for just cognitive therapy alone, the costs add up quickly. He will also benefit immensely from daily companionship (@35/hour) physical therapy, like swimming and possibly spending time with other brain injury patients in a group setting. We have worked with his family on decreasing his many ongoing expenses like mortgage payments, etc., but the cost for his medical care through the end of this year will be well over $150,000.

Edward has brought so many people laughter and light in their lives and we hope you can repay him through your generosity to help him through this time. He would absolutely do the same for all of his friends and family, if he hasn’t already.

Any monies contributed will be managed by Edward’s brother Seth and used for his care. Thank you all in advance for helping us all get our Edward back.

Love,

Jodi & Gretchen