Before the Falls - Help for Hal

HI, My name is Sr. Corinne and I'm raising funds for my friend Hal. I have known Hal and his wife Judith since Judith and I studied together at Notre Dame. Hal and Judith dedicated thier lives to helping others through providing counseling as well as opportunities for prayer.

Between Nov. 10 and Nov. 22 Hal fell three times resulting in a broken wrist (cast on right hand and arm), a broken left hand pinky finger (splint on left). He was not able to remain in their townhouse because the bathrooms are upstairs and downstairs (none on main floor). Without hand strength and with shaky balance, there is too much risk of another fall. So he is now in respite care, getting the daily help he needs for personal care and having a physical therapist come in to work on balance and strength. Originally it was to be for two weeks. We now know it will be longer until that hand strength is back and his risk of falling is lessened.

Although Hal and Judith have been looking for over a year for a senior community to move to, it has taken time to learn how Seniorcare works, get over the initial sticker shock, and navigate a rapidly changing system. Thus far they have not found the “one” Now it is imperative that they must choose and move as soon as possible.

As Judith wrote, "We have a small nestegg to provide us some years of support ahead. This current respite care, however, and immediate medical expenses are threatening that future.

So we’re reaching out to our community of relatives and friends to ask you to help us with this interim financial challenge and lift us into what we hope will be a more stable, supportive environment. This will give Hal an atmosphere within which to heal, and Judith peace of mind, helping hands to care for Hal, and an opportunity to be both caregiver and elder caring for herself.

Great thanks to a trinity of women who gave us the courage to make this ask:Hal’s mother, Mary Dessel, encouraged him to ask for what he wants, saying: “No you already have.” Cor Florek believes people want to be generous (and walked the walk by doing the tech research and work to make this happen). And Julie Kerksick who believes people recognize and value Hal’s and Judith’s contributions to community. Thank you for any consideration you give this request. "