Huk Family Medical Trust

On November 9th the Huk family endured a painful loss.   After struggling with depression Geoffrey Huk took his own life leaving his family filled with unending sadness and unanswered questions. 

As they come to terms to living a life without Geoff they also must deal with the reality that with his loss also comes a significant financial hardship most specifically for Melissa and Amanda.  Amanda, Melissa and Geoff’s youngest daughter is a disabled dependent adult child that has solely relied on both of her parents for financial and emotional support. She has severe medical challenges that require special care and needs ongoing support. Amanda was born with an illness called VCFS ( VeloCardio Facial syndrome) along with A Chiarimalformation (CM) which is a structural defect in the cerebellum, characterised by a downward displacement of one or both cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum(the opening at the base of the skull). This can sometimes lead to non-communicating hydrocephalus as a result of obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow. The cerebrospinal fluid outflow is caused by phase difference in outflow and influx of blood in the vasculature of the brain.  Amanda has undergone open heart surgery and many other major medical surgeries over the years. She’s unable to drive a vehicle or live alone without the help of her parents. This responsibility now falls solely on Melissa’s shoulders.  Her care which includes neurological classes, speech therapy, and counseling, along with all other medical needs are ongoing and expensive and not covered by insurance.  

 

Between grief and financial worry this time has been devastating for Melissa and her kids.  Those of us on the outside cannot comprehend the insidious layers suicide brings to the grief equation.   Anger at the person, at a failed healthcare system or counseling, and at friends & family either before or after, can exist with any death.  But when suicide is involved, guilt and anger branch off in directions where a different kind of ugliness exists.   That ugliness folds into society’s skewed perception of suicide and mental health issues.  There is the unfathomable shock of physically finding their loved one immediately after they’ve died (yes, it’s hard to read, but it happens).  There’s guilt over wondering what could’ve been done differently that might’ve saved their loved one’s life–the bombardment of “what ifs.”  Addictions can present as a way to cope or subdue mental illness.  They can contribute to the velocity of being sucked into the darkness of no-way-out or to the death itself.  Kind, sweet, caring people are suffering, they are hurting inside and think they are out of options.  They think nothing can be done to stop their pain, yet they rarely LOOK sick, which adds to the shame and misinformed perceptions. Suicide is not the easy way out, as many people see it.  There is much suffering and agonizing and coming to the conclusion that everyone would be better off if they were gone themselves included.  Judgment isn’t clear because of this sickness.  In the end everyone suffers from this horrible illness, and sadly suicide doesn’t end the pain, it just transfers it to their loved ones.

 

As a close personal friend of Melissa's I've seen the stress and sadness that the family is so on behalf of the Huk family we are reaching out to friends, Colleagues, co-workers at Keller Williams Realty in hopes to help ease the burden that has now been placed on Melissa’s shoulders.  Melissa has spent years advocating and helping families in need doing whatever she could to help and now she and her children are on the other side.  Her daughter Amanda needs our help and support. She has lost her father a man whom she loved and adored and is now facing an uncertain future not knowing if she will be able to receive the same level of medical care she needs.  We’re hoping that if you’re reading this you can find it in your heart to help Melissa and her children (Amanda) specifically. A special needs trust has been established for Amanda so that all money fundraised will be used to secure the care for her future.