Help Laurie Wright Hilliard and Frank Hilliard!

About a year and a half ago, Frank and Laurie began a journey nobody wants to take...and they need our assistance.

My mom and dad have always been the first to donate, volunteer, and help others in many different ways. Even now, in the face of hardship, they are still reluctant to ask for help and so wish they didn't have to. That's why I'm taking over and organizing this for them.

They have both dealt with unexpected major medical issues over the past year and a half. Now, on top of the regular cost of living and usual expenses, they are facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, most of which are not covered by insurance -- with no income.

Although I have helped them every day as my mom's primary caregiver while living at home through all of this, I have permanently moved to NYC and am worried about the major challenges my parents still face.

Anything at all you can do to help would be incredibly appreciated! If you'd like to send something directly/do something different, e.g. a grocery store card, let me know and I will give you their contact information.

I thank you all deeply in advance for your generosity. Please share this with anyone who may be interested in reading!

Warmly,

Taylor Hilliard, Frank and Laurie's son

*** For more detailed information on everything that's happened, please continue reading below. ***

In September of 2020, Laurie woke up one morning and had completely lost vision in one eye. After emergency surgery, she currently has some vision in her left eye and low vision in her right eye; and she will face more surgery.

Three months later, on Christmas Day, Laurie collapsed and lost the use of her legs. Following an extensive hospital stay searching for what was wrong, including many MRIs, cat scans, and every test imaginable, she underwent three surgeries on her foot and one leg, and extensive treatments on the other. Seventeen days later, she came home totally bedridden. She would need to completely re-learn how to walk.

Two weeks later, Laurie was admitted via ambulance to the hospital again for both Covid-19 and pneumonia. The only good thing that came out of it was that she was hallucinating and thought the hospital was a hotel...and she was upset that the doctors wouldn't let her go to the beach!

Twelve days later, she returned home again, only to return to the hospital via ambulance for a third time with an infection at one of her surgery sites and a high fever. Laurie had three surgeries this time and came home on a PICC line.

A year and a half later, Laurie is still in a hospital bed, unable to walk; although she is receiving incredible care from her team of nurses and her physical therapist, and is making improvements every day.

Meanwhile, shortly after her last hospital stay, Frank was rushed to the hospital with chest pains and ended up undergoing a quadruple bypass open-heart surgery. He's been back in the hospital three times since, and as recently as a month ago.

During this time, they have had ongoing in-home medical care and physical therapy, which are not covered by insurance.

To cap these events, Frank was laid off in December.

Between no income, regular living expenses, and medical bills, my Mom & Dad need help to get back on their feet.

Once again, thank you for reading, and we deeply appreciate your generosity!