Help Us Help Adam
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Sandi James and I am raising money for my nephew Adam - as seen below with his mom (my sister, Shelley) and step-dad (Carl). Adam was born deaf and autistic. He has always been very well cared for and is well known in the community.
Picture from 1999 (String tied to his vest so he can roll it through his fingers)
Funds raised will go toward:
* Costs associated with their stay in Halifax , NS
* Travel costs to and from Chipman, NB to Halifax, NS.
* Household expenses during Adam's recovery period
The History…
During the summer of 2018, Adam started displaying symptoms uncommon to his normal tendencies. He liked rolling string through his fingers which he stopped doing; he standardly sat with his legs crossed when on the couch but started banging his foot on the floor repeatedly; he was able to walk and for fair distances through grocery stores or malls but now could barely walk across the room and frequently lost his balance.
My sister quickly contacted his doctor to have him evaluated. Because Adam is non-verbal, his diagnosis was not straight forward. He needed specific tests which increased his wait time to receive them, yet his symptoms continued to worsen. By the end of the summer, Adam suffered such great muscle weakness, he needed the use of a wheelchair for anything further than moving from the house to the vehicle and, even then, was not able to do so on his own.
A little play time ~ laughing
The Outcome…
After several months and many tests, finally, in December a diagnosis was determined. It was not good news.
After his MRI, Adam was diagnosed with a tumor at the base of his skull. It is not attached to his brain – it is on the outside of the skull - but it is attaching itself and/or pushing against his nerve endings at the base of his skull. In addition, it was found that Adam has a narrowing of the spinal cord channel which is also the cause of his symptoms. Between the two diagnoses, Adam will have to undertake two separate surgeries in Halifax, NS in the next six months.
The first surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2019. This is a very high-risk Brain surgery with an extended recovery time due to his disabilities. This surgery is an 18-hour procedure with three potential outcomes. He could respond well and alleviate the symptoms he was experiencing; he could have no change; or, worse, it could be fatal.
My sister will need to be by his side night and day and be his voice to the medical staff as she knows his tendencies better than anyone. We are all hoping and praying for a full recovery.
During this time, my sister has taken a compassionate care leave from work to be with her son during his stay in the Halifax hospital to be his familiar face and be his aide as the hospital does not have the means to provide the 24/7 care that Adam requires for his recovery.
In approximately six months after this surgery, he will need to go back to have the 2nd surgery for his spinal cord. Again, another high-risk procedure.
Your Donations
Although employee insurance will provide a percentage of my sister's wage from Robin’s Donuts, she will need to help to cover other expenses during her time away from work which is why I am creating this campaign. The care Adam has received through the years is second to none. My sister has ensured his every need is met with patience, love and understanding.
She works hard and asks for nothing in return. I am now her voice and ask that you join with me to help Adam.
I am very grateful and appreciative you have taken the time to read Adam's story. Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated and I know your time is very important. Please help me get the word out by taking the time to Share this to your Facebook Timeline.
On January 28, 2019 (20 days from his surgery), Adam will turn 32 years old. Let's hope he can return home by then to enjoy birthday cake with his family.
I will provide an update after his surgery on Tuesday.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Adam and family as they prepare for this critical procedure.
Such a gentle soul
Thank you and Bless you from the bottom of my heart.
Sandi
Picture from 1999 (String tied to his vest so he can roll it through his fingers)Funds raised will go toward:
* Costs associated with their stay in Halifax , NS
* Travel costs to and from Chipman, NB to Halifax, NS.
* Household expenses during Adam's recovery period
The History…
During the summer of 2018, Adam started displaying symptoms uncommon to his normal tendencies. He liked rolling string through his fingers which he stopped doing; he standardly sat with his legs crossed when on the couch but started banging his foot on the floor repeatedly; he was able to walk and for fair distances through grocery stores or malls but now could barely walk across the room and frequently lost his balance.
My sister quickly contacted his doctor to have him evaluated. Because Adam is non-verbal, his diagnosis was not straight forward. He needed specific tests which increased his wait time to receive them, yet his symptoms continued to worsen. By the end of the summer, Adam suffered such great muscle weakness, he needed the use of a wheelchair for anything further than moving from the house to the vehicle and, even then, was not able to do so on his own.
A little play time ~ laughingThe Outcome…
After several months and many tests, finally, in December a diagnosis was determined. It was not good news.
After his MRI, Adam was diagnosed with a tumor at the base of his skull. It is not attached to his brain – it is on the outside of the skull - but it is attaching itself and/or pushing against his nerve endings at the base of his skull. In addition, it was found that Adam has a narrowing of the spinal cord channel which is also the cause of his symptoms. Between the two diagnoses, Adam will have to undertake two separate surgeries in Halifax, NS in the next six months.
The first surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2019. This is a very high-risk Brain surgery with an extended recovery time due to his disabilities. This surgery is an 18-hour procedure with three potential outcomes. He could respond well and alleviate the symptoms he was experiencing; he could have no change; or, worse, it could be fatal.
My sister will need to be by his side night and day and be his voice to the medical staff as she knows his tendencies better than anyone. We are all hoping and praying for a full recovery.
During this time, my sister has taken a compassionate care leave from work to be with her son during his stay in the Halifax hospital to be his familiar face and be his aide as the hospital does not have the means to provide the 24/7 care that Adam requires for his recovery.
In approximately six months after this surgery, he will need to go back to have the 2nd surgery for his spinal cord. Again, another high-risk procedure.
Your Donations
Although employee insurance will provide a percentage of my sister's wage from Robin’s Donuts, she will need to help to cover other expenses during her time away from work which is why I am creating this campaign. The care Adam has received through the years is second to none. My sister has ensured his every need is met with patience, love and understanding.
She works hard and asks for nothing in return. I am now her voice and ask that you join with me to help Adam.
I am very grateful and appreciative you have taken the time to read Adam's story. Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated and I know your time is very important. Please help me get the word out by taking the time to Share this to your Facebook Timeline.
On January 28, 2019 (20 days from his surgery), Adam will turn 32 years old. Let's hope he can return home by then to enjoy birthday cake with his family.
I will provide an update after his surgery on Tuesday.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Adam and family as they prepare for this critical procedure.
Such a gentle soulThank you and Bless you from the bottom of my heart.
Sandi
Organizer and beneficiary
Sandi James
Organizer
Calgary, AB
Shelley Spencer
Beneficiary