Help Michael return to health
Donation protected
Update: Wednesday October 28
I am totally blown away by the wonderful, generous support so many are sharing with our friends. THANK YOU!! This is simply incredible, and so, so appreciated! Your gifts will make a tremendous difference when Michael is able to come home!! I did update the fundraising goal, as the picture of what will be needed is coming a little bit clearer, with more news to come...
We had a professional from Burdick & Associates meet Betsy at the house this morning, and there will definitely be some substantial work needed in order to appropriately accommodate Michael - especially related to the kitchen and bathroom. The plan will include expanding their first floor half-bath, into a full-bath - making sure that it can be easily navigated even if a cane or walker is needed. The shower will be large enough to accommodate two people just in case assistance is needed. While not luxurious, it will be really lovely.
The change in bathroom does mean some of the kitchen will need to be redesigned, too. Relocating the sink and dishwasher will help the space flow better, and allow the large kitchen window to pour beautiful sunlight into the sitting area. Again, not fancy, but we know how much Michael and Betsy both love to cook - and with Burdick's help the whole space will just work really, really well. We'll talk with plumbers and electricians later this week, but its going to be a pretty major renovation.
In addition, Michael will need a new bed that can support him as he raises up from sleeping. A hospital bed of sorts, but I think it would be great if it could be queen sized. I am just starting to look into that...
Many people have asked about what help they could provide even beyond financial support - simply awesome!! I will be organizing a yard clean up, furniture moving day (when we'll officially move their bedroom to the first floor), maybe a painting party - and more. None of this would be possible without the many, many, many of you that have made donations. I am so thankful!
I will continue to update this page as the situation changes. Remember to give yourself a reminder to tune into Facebook on Sunday at 5pm for our little fundraising event. We can't wait to share it with you!!
THANK YOU!!
I don't know if you are following Betsy and Michael Lackey's story on Facebook, but they are in need of some love and support. In late September, while dealing with a shingles outbreak, Michael developed a migraine and became nauseous and disoriented. On September 26 Michael was life flighted to Toledo Hospital with a brain bleed, which is basically another stroke. You'll remember he had a first stroke about six years ago. This time was a little different, even more threatening and perhaps even harder.
At first, it seemed like Michael was going to recover well from this incident, but after a few days in the Neuro-ICU the impact of the shingles, and then secondary infections and pneumonia really started to bring him down. Michael was hardly responding to Betsy, his doctors or nurses. Now, thankfully, after 30 days in the hospital, he has been becoming more alert, has been singing and does have brief conversations with Betsy and his care team. Unfortunately, he has really been nearly flat on his back since September 26th, he has lost about 30lbs and he is extremely weak. Michael has a very long road of recovery and healing ahead of him. Which leads us to seek support for some immediate and more long term needs.
Michael will soon be transitioning out of the hospital, into a critical care rehab. At this Toledo based facility Michael will be able to receive therapies and treatment that will help him regain his strength and improve his physical acuity. Betsy will be able to visit daily, and of course we know she will be extremely involved in his recovery - they are quite a team! We really don't know how long he will be in this facility, but several weeks, at least. So, we'll use that time to help prepare their home for Michael's return to Dennis Street.
Some of what we hope to accomplish will be adapting a first floor bathroom from a half bath, into a full bath with a low threshold shower. This will mean some changes to the kitchen, too, though we hope that change will be minimal. They will need help to make the first floor (which has housed many, many of the very best parties ever!) into their bedroom, which will also require a lot of furniture moving and perhaps some other changes. And, of course, there will be financial needs that come from the medical bills, loss of income, Betsy’s daily commute to and from Toledo and more.
To help Betsy and Michael we are hoping that you, and others, will donate to this Go Fund Me account. We are also holding a virtual benefit to help them, and encourage others to donate. Please join us for a concert, streamed live from Betsy’s Facebook on Sunday November 1 at 5pm. This 30 - 40 minute show will give some of Betsy and Michael's local friends the chance to share a song that reminds us of all that Betsy and Michael mean to us, and our community.
Please donate what you can, I know Betsy and Michael are so, so thankful.
I am totally blown away by the wonderful, generous support so many are sharing with our friends. THANK YOU!! This is simply incredible, and so, so appreciated! Your gifts will make a tremendous difference when Michael is able to come home!! I did update the fundraising goal, as the picture of what will be needed is coming a little bit clearer, with more news to come...
We had a professional from Burdick & Associates meet Betsy at the house this morning, and there will definitely be some substantial work needed in order to appropriately accommodate Michael - especially related to the kitchen and bathroom. The plan will include expanding their first floor half-bath, into a full-bath - making sure that it can be easily navigated even if a cane or walker is needed. The shower will be large enough to accommodate two people just in case assistance is needed. While not luxurious, it will be really lovely.
The change in bathroom does mean some of the kitchen will need to be redesigned, too. Relocating the sink and dishwasher will help the space flow better, and allow the large kitchen window to pour beautiful sunlight into the sitting area. Again, not fancy, but we know how much Michael and Betsy both love to cook - and with Burdick's help the whole space will just work really, really well. We'll talk with plumbers and electricians later this week, but its going to be a pretty major renovation.
In addition, Michael will need a new bed that can support him as he raises up from sleeping. A hospital bed of sorts, but I think it would be great if it could be queen sized. I am just starting to look into that...
Many people have asked about what help they could provide even beyond financial support - simply awesome!! I will be organizing a yard clean up, furniture moving day (when we'll officially move their bedroom to the first floor), maybe a painting party - and more. None of this would be possible without the many, many, many of you that have made donations. I am so thankful!
I will continue to update this page as the situation changes. Remember to give yourself a reminder to tune into Facebook on Sunday at 5pm for our little fundraising event. We can't wait to share it with you!!
THANK YOU!!
I don't know if you are following Betsy and Michael Lackey's story on Facebook, but they are in need of some love and support. In late September, while dealing with a shingles outbreak, Michael developed a migraine and became nauseous and disoriented. On September 26 Michael was life flighted to Toledo Hospital with a brain bleed, which is basically another stroke. You'll remember he had a first stroke about six years ago. This time was a little different, even more threatening and perhaps even harder.
At first, it seemed like Michael was going to recover well from this incident, but after a few days in the Neuro-ICU the impact of the shingles, and then secondary infections and pneumonia really started to bring him down. Michael was hardly responding to Betsy, his doctors or nurses. Now, thankfully, after 30 days in the hospital, he has been becoming more alert, has been singing and does have brief conversations with Betsy and his care team. Unfortunately, he has really been nearly flat on his back since September 26th, he has lost about 30lbs and he is extremely weak. Michael has a very long road of recovery and healing ahead of him. Which leads us to seek support for some immediate and more long term needs.
Michael will soon be transitioning out of the hospital, into a critical care rehab. At this Toledo based facility Michael will be able to receive therapies and treatment that will help him regain his strength and improve his physical acuity. Betsy will be able to visit daily, and of course we know she will be extremely involved in his recovery - they are quite a team! We really don't know how long he will be in this facility, but several weeks, at least. So, we'll use that time to help prepare their home for Michael's return to Dennis Street.
Some of what we hope to accomplish will be adapting a first floor bathroom from a half bath, into a full bath with a low threshold shower. This will mean some changes to the kitchen, too, though we hope that change will be minimal. They will need help to make the first floor (which has housed many, many of the very best parties ever!) into their bedroom, which will also require a lot of furniture moving and perhaps some other changes. And, of course, there will be financial needs that come from the medical bills, loss of income, Betsy’s daily commute to and from Toledo and more.
To help Betsy and Michael we are hoping that you, and others, will donate to this Go Fund Me account. We are also holding a virtual benefit to help them, and encourage others to donate. Please join us for a concert, streamed live from Betsy’s Facebook on Sunday November 1 at 5pm. This 30 - 40 minute show will give some of Betsy and Michael's local friends the chance to share a song that reminds us of all that Betsy and Michael mean to us, and our community.
Please donate what you can, I know Betsy and Michael are so, so thankful.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jere Righter
Organizer
Adrian, MI
Elizabeth Lackey
Beneficiary
