Help Donna & Tom Amante with Her Stroke Recovery

Hi, this is Ric Amante, and I am reaching out to you on behalf of my sister-in-law, Donna Amante. I’ve known Donna for nearly forty years and have experienced firsthand what a caring, smart, generous, and hard-working person she is. More than once she and my brother Tom have invited me to live with them after I had returned to the area and needed a place to stay until I found work and housing. Donna’s hospitality (and baking skills) were and are much appreciated.

Unfortunately, on February 17th, Donna had a stroke. We are grateful that she has no paralysis. Donna’s speech and cognition, initially greatly affected, have for the most part returned. However, Donna’s vision has been damaged to the extent that she can no longer drive, nor return to her job. In addition, she finds walking more difficult, and her stamina is diminished.

After two weeks of treatment and tests at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, Donna returned home. She and Tom are grateful for Donna’s partial recovery thus far, and we all hope her visual impairment will gradually improve.

I’m asking folks to help out Donna and Tom as they face the financial burden of both medical expenses (even with insurance) and of their household income being reduced by half.

Given the likelihood of residual, long-term impact, Donna has filed a disability claim with the Social Security Administration and hopes to receive approval and aid sometime in the fall. This new and steady income will allow Donna and Tom to regain their footing. Any contribution you can make to assist them now in their time of need would be greatly appreciated. In addition to any uncovered medical expenses, your contributions will be applied to household and living costs such as rent, bills, transportation, and groceries.

Finally, I want you to know that Donna’s spirit remains strong and positive. And Donna wants you to know how thankful she is, and that she will be “paying it forward” whenever and wherever possible.