My name is Lauren Carlson and I live in Rutland, MA.

On behalf of a local family that is experiencing a medical crisis, I am asking for your support to help this family pay their rent and meet their expenses while the father is waiting for surgery.

More details to explain their needs:

43-year-old Michael Baker and his wife Tracy O’Leary Baker are in urgent need of help and prayers. They are a hardworking couple who recently started a family of their own, but their lives have been turned upside down by a tragic medical emergency.

On October 13th, Michael suddenly lost vision in his only seeing eye. Realizing something was terribly wrong, he called a friend who rushed him to the emergency room in Worcester. Doctors there immediately sent him to Mass Eye and Ear in Boston, where he underwent emergency surgery — a vitrectomy to repair a torn and detached retina.

Michael had already lost sight in his other eye in his twenties due to a hereditary disease, yet he never let that stop him. He’s worked hard as a data editor and analyst for MassDOT, shared his knowledge as an educator, and remained active in a reenactment group. Now, all of that is on hold as he faces a long and uncertain recovery.

A vitrectomy is a delicate procedure in which surgeons remove the gel-like vitreous humor inside the eye, repair the retina, and replace the gel with a gas bubble. Following surgery, Michael had to remain face-down for over a week, and he will need to be out of work for at least 5–7 weeks, depending on how well his vision recovers.

Unfortunately, Michael’s position does not qualify for short-term disability or FMLA benefits, leaving him with no income during this critical time. His job requires computer use — something he cannot currently do.

Tracy works as a toddler teacher in Worcester while also caring for their 9-month-old daughter, but the loss of Michael’s income has made it nearly impossible to cover essential expenses like rent, utilities, groceries, gas for trips to Boston, prescriptions, diapers, and formula.

They remain hopeful that Michael’s vision loss is temporary, and that he will soon be able to see his baby’s face again — her smiles, her “firsts,” and all the little moments he misses deeply.

Please consider donating to help this young family stay afloat during Michael’s recovery. Any amount — no matter how small — will make a meaningful difference.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your compassion, generosity, and prayers.