Help Rick & Cathy Stay in Their Home Amidst Medical Crisis

Rick and Cathy moved to Emily, MN, in 2020. They own and operate an embroidery, CBD, and auction/antique business located off Highway 6, bringing unique services and opportunities to the area.

In October 2023, Rick’s world turned upside down when he experienced sudden seizures at work and was hospitalized at St. Mary’s in Duluth, MN, doctors suspected Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA), which is a rare and serious neurological condition. Due to the rarity of his case at his age, Rick was referred to the Mayo Clinic, but he faced a six-month wait for further evaluation.

As Rick waited for answers, he lost his health insurance, ran out of FMLA, and was on short-term disability. When he was finally cleared to return to MNDOT, his new medical restrictions prevented him from performing his previous duties, and he was not allowed to return. When his unemployment ran out in October 2024, he and his wife, Cathy, were left without his income. Rick took a job delivering pizzas despite his health challenges, until his most recent setback.

A Confirmed Diagnosis & Lifelong Battle

In January 2025, Rick finally reached the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for further testing. After just one day of evaluations, he suffered multiple seizures while staying at a friend’s house that evening. He was rushed to the Mayo Clinic hospital, where doctors officially confirmed he has CAA; a lifelong and progressive condition that affects the brain’s blood vessels, increasing the risk of strokes, seizures, cognitive decline, and eventual death if not managed properly.

With this diagnosis, Rick was forced to resign from MNDOT in February 2025 due to the risk of recurring seizures.

The Road Ahead

Rick is now on a complex medication regimen to slow the progression of CAA and reduce seizure activity. His treatment plan includes:

✅ Visits to Moose Lake for lab work

✅ Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapy to help regain function in daily activities

✅ Ongoing monitoring at Mayo Clinic to ensure his body is responding to treatment

Why We Need Your Help

Rick and Cathy are facing financial devastation. With Rick unable to work and waiting for his disability application to be processed (which could take 6 months to a year), they have fallen behind on their mortgage and bills. They are at risk of losing their home, and the financial strain is making an already challenging medical journey even harder.

Your donation will help them:

Keep a roof over their heads

Cover medical expenses and travel costs for treatment

Provide essential support while they await disability benefits

Rick has always been a hardworking, kind, and resilient person. Now, he needs the support of his community to help him and Cathy survive this incredibly difficult time.

Rick and Cathy are seeking help with transportation to therapy appointments in Moose Lake and Monticello from Emily, a couple of times per week (Call Rick at [phone redacted]).