Help Us Relocate Our Paralyzed Brother

It's good to live near family who love you! ❤️ That's what my husband Michael, me (his spouse, Carolyn), and his brother, Ron Bradley, think, anyhow. A truth: Ron has valued his independence his whole life, and lived independently to a very large degree. Michael and I hope to share a viewpoint of interdependence, where together, we're even better.

Ron and Michael had the same mother, but different fathers. Ron was brought up in the South, and Michael in Bucks County, near Philadelphia. The distance disappeared, though, during a difficult transition period in their mom's life, when she and Ron moved to live with (and later, near) Michael in State College, PA. Fifteen years younger than Michael, Ron looked up to his big brother, "Mike." Although his mother moved him south again, Ron and Michael formed a bond then that has lasted through the decades. As adults, they connected in person only occasionally, but still maintained their bond.

Ron became a firefighter in Georgia, but after sustaining injuries to his back, moved to insurance restoration/remediation work: assisting people dealing with fire, smoke, water, or weather damage to their homes. While on the job, a co-worker dropped a hot water heater down an attic entry, landing on Ron's back. The battle against back pain worsened over the years, with increasing effect on Ron's life. However, he was still able to maintain full-time employment by working online. Then the unthinkable happened. One evening while getting ready to attend an awards banquet, Ron was rising from his chair when he felt a large pop in his back. At the time he just thought he pulled a muscle. At this point he was used to back pain. As Ron described it, as the evening progressed at the awards banquet so did the pain in his lower back. By the end of the evening, he was barely able to get to his car. He managed to drag himself into bed that night thinking he would feel better in the morning. That was the last time he ever walked freely. He was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome, which explains his paralysis. A wheelchair provides his mobility. Well, a wheelchair and some friends: the kind of friends who would pick up Ron and his chair in their car/truck, then assist him into a boat, where he could pursue his lifelong love of fishing, even competing for fishing trophies. Friends can make such a difference!

And then in November 2023, the considerable hurdles in the road became a mountain: Ron lost his job. He told Michael he wanted to move to Syracuse. He would begin a job hunt, working online meant he could live anywhere. We were skeptical: we painted a desultory picture of Syracuse's weather and winter, because...well, if you know Syracuse, you know. Ron persisted, and Michael assisted with information, tips about Central New York's housing and services for disabilities. Winter wore on, Ron's financial situation worsened, and discouragement deepened. Michael encouraged, strongly. An eviction notice arrived. Another eviction notice. And another. The last one gave a final date: Ron had to be out by May 6th.

On April 24th, Ron received a phone call: there is a wheelchair ♿️ accessible apartment available in Syracuse! It is Ron's, if he wants it. The catch? He has to claim it, in person, by 2 p.m. on May 2. EIGHT DAYS to get Michael to Georgia, for Ron to pack up, for them to get the truck loaded, and drive north! Due to both men's medical needs, a "drive-through" isn't feasible; they're planning to do the trip in 3 legs. At this point, (2:00 p.m. Friday, April 26th), Michael is at the Atlanta Airport, on the tarmac, waiting for liftoff to Albany, Georgia.

So here we have it: the expenses are adding up. Last-minute airline tickets come at a premium, as do last-minute hotel reservations. Other expenses include truck rental, gas, and meals. Ron faces move-in costs. I am retired; Michael works a modest post-career human service job. We're willing to put things aside in order to pay Ron's expenses, but would so appreciate any funds donated to help defray expenses. Anything received over and above will go towards a much-needed new wheelchair for Ron. If you are unable to donate, then sharing Ron's story is very helpful! Sending us good energy: loving thoughts, blessings, prayers, holding us in the Light...all deeply appreciated. Thanks for reading!