Hi! Ray Manning's daughters Laura and Amelia here, reaching out to community to ensure top-notch care for Ray at the end of his life and provide a little ease in the days and weeks to follow.

For those of you who don't know, Ray has lived down in Costa Rica with me, eldest daughter Laura and my kids, for the past 6 1/2 years. He had his first stroke at 63 back in 2014 and has had 5 subsequent strokes during these past 10 years.

He has certainly missed life in New Orleans, but has been grateful to be cared for by family, watching his grandkids grow up.

He enjoyed the community he found here, through playing music and meditation, before COVID, a broken hip, and then his 5th stroke in 2021 changed things dramatically.

Unfortunately, after that stroke, the Ray that many of us knew and loved was no more. He lost his ability to speak and do much besides eat on his own. Since then, he has had a wonderful hired caregiver, Rosy. He has still found reason to keep going, has enjoyed visits from friends, and family, and has stayed at home over these past several years.

I regret to inform y'all that he suffered another stroke last Friday, January 17, and he is growing more tired and weaker by the day. He is not eating and barely drinking. His wishes, expressed over many years, are to avoid interventions that will prolong his suffering and the inevitable while being kept as comfortable, and in as much peace as possible for his last days.

We are honoring his requests. He is at home, comfortable, and under the care of his amazing doctor of the past 5 years, Dra Stephany Harvey. Honoring his wishes means not utilizing the public hospital system, as he would likely end up with a feeding tube and other interventions that he does not want. The public system has taken good care of him when he needed a hip replacement and had earlier strokes. This time, we are opting not to use it.

While private healthcare costs are much lower in Costa Rica than in the US, they do add up quickly. Please support our family in providing quality nursing care, pain management, and routine check-ins with his doctor for his final days. Some of these funds will also be used to cover Rosy's salary for a couple of months severance pay as she finds a new job and other end-of-life expenses.

We look forward to coordinating with the Tumblers to honor Ray at a tumble once the day comes, plan a virtual memorial where those who love him near and far can come together in celebration and remembrance, and an intimate graveside gathering for family in Houston where his parents rest in peace.

He's still alive and kicking. Any comments posted here before his day comes will be read to him. He is still hearing well and when he's alert, reacts emotionally to stories, music, prayers, and loving messages.

Thanks for your support in these difficult times.