My dad, Dewayne McWilliams has been through more in a short amount of time than anyone ever should and he’s still fighting every day. He recently underwent open heart surgery, for a tear in his aorta, major and life-saving procedure that required hours in surgery followed by days of heavy sedation in the ICU. While the surgery itself was necessary, the aftermath has been overwhelming and frightening for both him and our family. Since the surgery, my dad has been experiencing severe and persistent pain, including painful muscle spasms that radiate into his chest. These episodes have been intense enough to cause significant distress and disrupt his sleep, leaving him exhausted and struggling to rest or heal properly. Managing his pain has required careful monitoring and multiple medications, and even then, relief has been inconsistent. One of the most heartbreaking complications has been his vision loss. After the breathing tube was removed (extubation), my dad suffered two strokes. Both strokes affected the same exact area of his brain, the part responsible for vision, which has resulted in significant vision loss. Since coming out of surgery and sedation, his eyesight has been extremely limited. He can no longer see well enough to do the things he once loved or to safely care for himself. This sudden loss of independence has taken a heavy emotional toll on him. Before all of this, my dad was active and happiest when he was fishing, spending time outdoors, and simply enjoying life. Now, he’s largely confined to his home. He can’t walk far, gets cold easily, and has very little to keep his mind occupied. The combination of physical pain, vision problems, and isolation has led to deep depression, which has been incredibly hard to watch. Everyday tasks that most people take for granted like bathing safely, moving around, resting comfortably, or even finding moments of distraction, have become major challenges. Medical equipment, medications, transportation to appointments, and basic living expenses are adding up quickly, especially while he is unable to recover the way he needs to. My mom has been doing all of this to help my dad plus trying to work with hardly any sleep..We are asking for help to ease some of this burden so my dad can focus on healing — physically and emotionally. Funds raised will go toward:

• Medical and recovery-related expenses

• Pain management and supportive care

• Assistive equipment for safety and mobility

• Basic living needs during his recovery

They cannot get help from home health unless they pay upfront with every visit, he could not get into a rehab/nursing home unless they paid for it which simply cannot be done.

Any donation, share, or kind word truly means more than we can express. If you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser helps more than you know.

Thank you for taking the time to read my dad’s story and for supporting him during the hardest chapter of his life.