Hello, my name is Vanessa Barnes. To say this has been a trying year is an understatement. We've been through a lot this year. My dad unexpectedly fell on October 21, 2024. I took him to the hospital in Derby only to be transported to St. Francis in Hartford as he had so much trauma. He had shattered ribs 4-8 on his left side and fractured his scapula. He got surgery that Tuesday and has been intubated, sedated, and on a ventilator. He was struggling to stay breathing on his own was battling a fever, and getting bronchial cleaning so that he wouldn’t get pneumonia. On November 1, they weaned him off sedation so he was able to be somewhat alert, however still intubated and still on the ventilator. We are not out of the woods yet. Needless to say, this will be a long recovery for him and my family.

I hate to even ask this but as the weeks go by, the medical bills, house bills, going back and forth to the hospital, gas, food, etc., get to be a lot. I have two kids that are very active. I've had to put a hold on my second job to be there for him. I don't want my dad to worry about anything. I just want him to heal. He's 65 and still works and does his best for me and my kiddos. As much as he drives me crazy, it's not the same. He's been through a lot in his life, some things that people don't come back from. He's a tough guy that just deserves to heal and not worry about anything but to get better.

To accomplish this, I am asking for any kind of help. I know times are tough all around, but anything helps . Thank you for reading.