Help Dan and Jen Celebrate Their Marriage

Dan and I were married on 22 November 2021 in a tiny ceremony at the Mall of America with only three guests/witnesses. We have created this fundraiser with the hope that you will help us host a party for 100-150 family and friends, later this year, to celebrate Dan's hard-won recovery and our new life together.

 

We are planning an outdoor event, with light food and non-alcoholic drinks, early in September at Como Park.

 

Early September is the anniversary of the beginning of our relationship, as well as my move from Houston to Saint Paul. Como Park has been an important part of my life here, and is a place that Dan and I have visited often.

 

Dan is permanently disabled due to a traumatic brain injury sustained after surviving a three-story fall in October of 2020. While his recovery has defied the odds and all expectations, we still face significant challenges. Ongoing medical issues, including the potential for seizures, makes Dan's health our top priority.

 

I have been working full-time to support both of us while we fight to get Dan's SSDI application approved, so he can continue to focus on his recovery at the pace that is right for him. We are also both struggling to get out from underneath a substantial amount of debt so that we can move forward with our life.

 

Without your help, it will not be possible for us to host our wedding party.

 

Meeting Dan and his family has been the best thing to ever happen to me, in a life that has often been fraught with pain, loneliness, and suffering. It would be the greatest gift imaginable to be able to surround myself, in celebration, with the family and friends where I feel like I have finally found my home.

 

Dan and I have both been blessed to receive a second chance at life.

 

We hope you will help us. Thank you for your kindness, love, and support.

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2022-07-06 Update on Dan's SSDI situation: Dan's SSDI application was denied most recently after our hearing with a judge, mainly due to issues with his application/documentation. After reviewing the paperwork myself and consulting with a disability lawyer, our best chance of being approved would be to start over with a new application/documentation.

Unfortunately, a new application means that we would be unable to receive retroactive funds going back to the date of his original application, which we had been hoping for. Dan decided he would prefer going back to work, if possible. We are in the process of figuring out if working is something he will be able to do long-term, without harm.

In addition to the risk of seizures, Dan's main obstacles to be overcome are fatigue, executive function and short-term "working" memory problems, and difficulty with focus/concentration. I am confident Dan will get where he wants to be, but it is impossible to know how long that might take. I am doing my best to support him in the healing and recovery process.

Looking forward to our party has helped keep us motivated on the harder days.

We appreciate your help!