URGENT: Help Ken Walk Again – Brain Surgery Needed to Relieve Pressure

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters,

Many of you have walked this difficult journey with us before, and for that we are so incredibly grateful. We never imagined we’d be here again, but today we’re facing a life-threatening emergency, and we’re asking from the depths of our hearts for your help.

In December 2024, Ken was hospitalized with a severe combination of meningitis and encephalitis. It was a terrifying time — he was in and out of consciousness, in pain, disoriented, and fighting for his life. With your love, prayers, and generosity, he pulled through. It felt like a miracle.

But now, we’ve been hit with another devastating complication:

Ken has developed hydrocephalus — a dangerous buildup of fluid on the brain that’s causing pressure and affecting his ability to move and walk. It’s a neurological emergency that’s worsening by the day.

He’s now at the point where he can barely walk without falling. He needs assistance for everything — getting out of bed, standing, moving around. We’ve had frightening moments, including falls that have left him shaken and in pain. He’s scared. We all are.

Doctors at Bangkok Hospital have recommended urgent brain surgery to insert a shunt — a device that will drain the excess fluid from his brain to his abdomen. This is the only way to relieve the pressure and restore his ability to walk and function.

We live on Koh Samui, Thailand, and are currently working to get Ken admitted to a hospital in Surat Thani, where a neurosurgeon is available. However, they require us to cover the full cost of surgery, hospital stay, and aftercare before proceeding.

We are now at a standstill because we simply don’t have the funds.

The cost of this surgery and care is beyond our means.

We are asking, once again, with humility and deep gratitude, for your support.

Your donations will go directly to:

• The neurosurgical procedure to place the brain shunt

• Hospital stay and recovery care

• Post-operative monitoring and medication

• Transport and living expenses during recovery

This is not optional. Without this surgery, the pressure in Ken’s brain will continue to build — putting him at risk for permanent disability, brain damage, or worse. Every single day matters. Every hour.

If you’ve donated in the past, thank you — truly. If you can help again, please know your support is giving Ken another chance at life. If you’re unable to give right now, we completely understand. Sharing this campaign would help us more than you know.

With love, gratitude, and hope,

Donna and Ken Reiss