Hurricane Helene Storm Surge Relief for Mark and Jamie Sanderson

The LEMS Family Association and friends of Mark and Jamie Sanderson are standing together, helping them restart and rebuild, after the devastating losses of not one, but two historic hurricanes, 13 days apart.

On Sept 26, 16 inches of brown saltwater - storm surge from Helene - entered Mark and Jamie’s small apartment on Davis Islands, FL. Thankfully, they chose to evacuate 6 hours prior. They have lost 90% of their belongings. Cleanup has been slow and arduous.

While Mark removed the lost damaged items from the flooded apartment at 2 am Saturday, Oct 5, and while having been in an available upstairs apartment for only 2 days, they unbelievably found themselves under a 2nd mandatory evacuation less than 48 hours later with the approach of Milton.

To be out of Milton’s Cone, they evacuated a 2nd time, now to the first northern city where a room was available; Perry, GA, 6 hours north, where they remain for now.

In 2019, Jamie was diagnosed with LEMS (Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome) and is legally disabled. She serves as an Ambassador for LEMS, while Mark serves as a Caregiver Ambassador for LEMS. While neurologically debilitating, Jamie has traveled to several cities with assistance, along with Mark, to support, encourage, and uplift other LEMS and MG patients and their caregivers. Some of you have received friendship and encouragement from Mark under his 41 years of one-on-one mentoring and through the “I’d Rather Talk” website and podcast.

Starting over after 35 years of marriage is daunting. Besides furniture and household goods, one huge loss is a $32,000 Quantum Edge3 Mobility Chair, custom-built for Jamie’s body and physical needs in 2020. It weighs 400 pounds and, in the rush to evacuate Helene’s storm surge, they were forced to abandon the Edge, taking only the portable “Whill” brand folding power chair in the car.

They carry renter’s insurance which covers fire and wind - but not flooding - which is out of reach financially for many renters in parts of Florida.

If you know them, Mark and Jamie are not ones to ask for money. Instead, they are the first to give. Now is our time to help bring them back on their feet. Feel free to assist if you desire within your means, with no obligation.

Sincerely,

Price Wooldridge, Board Member

Julianna Kustelski, Board Member

Kristina Patafio, Board Member

Lori Dunham, Board Member

The Lambert-Eaton LEMS Family Association