Getting Larry Back on his Feet

I've known Cheryl for almost 15 years.  She is such a great person with a huge heart.  She does for others whenever she can, but didn't want to ask for help for herself.  So, that's where I stepped in.  

Cheryl and Larry have been together for several years.  They're the happiest couple I know ... true soulmates.  They were happy and making a new life in Colorado.  But...

Life changes in an instant.

Wednesday, June 14th started like any other day. But at just a little after 8:30am, while on his way to work, Larry was cut off while traveling in the right lane when a car whose driver wasn't paying attention to the blinking yellow light (yield) in front of her. She pulled out without looking, causing Larry to collide with her car, flip over the front of his motorcycle and fly over her car about 40 feet before landing on the ground.

Larry has always been a very safe biker, making sure to wear all the appropriate safety gear from helmet to boots to padded jacket and glasses, and that day was no different. Police and EMTs at the scene were convinced that the gear is what saved his life. As it is, Larry ended up with a shattered right ankle, a fractured right wrist, left toe and pelvis.

The driver at fault had no decent insurance and so they have had to initiate a lawsuit to attempt to get at least some of the many many bills from the accident paid for. Thankfully, their health insurance pays 70% of the bills, but that's doesn't include deductibles, co-pays and balances, which are already reaching into the thousands with more to come.

There have been 3 surgeries so far with at least one more (that we know of) to come. He spent 2 1/2 weeks in the hospital and has now been at an inpatient rehab facility for almost 2 weeks. The prognosis at this point is another 4-6 weeks in rehab, learning to walk again and how to care for himself. He has to be 95% self-sufficient before they will let him go home.

Speaking of home, Larry and Cheryl are having to move because Larry's injuries won't allow for them to stay in their 2nd floor apartment... so in mid-August they will be moving to a 1st floor unit in the same complex. The costs involved in moving are the same and, with Larry out of commission, Cheryl will need to hire people to move the furniture and other heavy items.

So, yesterday I asked Cheryl if she would let me set up a go fund me account for her to try and get help with all of the expenses that are piling up.  At first she refused, saying she didn't want to ask for help ... didn't want to burden anyone else.  I had to strongly discuss (i.e. argue) with her for almost an hour on the phone yesterday.  I'm having to show Cheryl that her friends don't consider her a burden, that we will happily pick up part of her load and help her carry it.  That all of us together by picking up just a small part will be able to carry it as far as she needs it carried.  That's what friends are for ... we will help carry your burden ... we will help carry YOU if need be.

This money will go to help with deductibles, moving expenses, and to help with the bills because they've been piling up without Larry's income coming in .... Cheryl's is really not enough.

Please help us carry Cheryl and Larry's burden, just for a little bit .... just until Larry can help her carry it again.