I want to start this by saying that this GoFundMe is in response to those reaching out asking how they can help financially. My Sister, Jen, was not aware that I would be creating this account, but we have since talked and she is now aware. ❤ I appreciate your time in reading this and if you are in a position which provides you the ability and draw to bless others, we truly appreciate any help you could provide.
My Sister's story:
I've always been so incredibly blown away by my Sister's strength; she truly is the strongest person I know.
I'll pick up the story starting in April, but know that the story doesn't start there. Within the past year, my Sister has experienced a few medical events, including a stroke last Fall, which have rendered her blind in her right eye as well as impacting her language center of her brain. She handled those events with humor and positivity throughout.
The morning of April 11th, Jen awoke to what I consider one of the most horrific nightmares I can imagine; she had no feeling from her sternum-down. In the storm of a worldwide pandemic, she was taken to the hospital and allowed no visitors for weeks while her amazing medical team worked to figure out what happened and why.
After those initial 2 weeks, she was transferred to a rehab facility where they continued to pursue a diagnosis, but also began the summit of rehabilitation. She was still allowed no visitors due to the pandemic, but on one day, she was at least able to hear her husband Shawn's voice when he dropped off a care package. She gushed to her therapists about just feeling a rush of relief even hearing his voice and knowing he was near her. The medical team commented on how much they could tell they loved each other just from that encounter.
Shawn reassured her daily that everything would be okay; that he loved her and would carry her everywhere she needed to go if he needed to while caring for their 3.5 year old daughter, Brooklynn. He was her rock through it all during those weeks.
On April 28th, Jen's Mom went to pick Brooklynn up to give Shawn some time to start preparing the house for Jen's homecoming in a few weeks. That day, the nightmare that had started just a few weeks prior turned to an absolute terror as she arrived to find that Shawn had passed away in his sleep during the night.
My sister's husband, the love of her life, the father of her child, her protector and her rock... is gone. There just aren't words to describe the hurt I have in my heart for her. I cannot imagine what she is going through, none of it. Still, her therapists commented that she continued to work harder than any patient they have had on her recovery. She channeled her pain into a drive to get home to see her daughter. Though rehabilitation efforts have gotten her to a place where she can do some things independently, the chances that she will regain feeling or function below her sternum are very low (1-3%). Her function in her hands has also been impacted. Unable to even make a fist, her mobility is very challenging at this point.
On June 4th, Jen was released from rehab into my Mom's care. She requires 24 hour care. At the moment, Jen will be staying at her and Shawn's house with my Mom. There are some thoughts that this may change if a townhouse becomes available near my Mom's. As of today, June 10th, there is no ramp for my Sister to get in and out of the house. She requires medical transport by ambulance if she needs to go to the hospital. The quotes received for a ramp thus far have been mind blowing. I'll reserve my comments on the prices of things meant to help those in need...
Which brings me to the point of all of this. My sister does have some life insurance coming to her in the coming months, however her eyes welled up with tears yesterday as we discussed the fact that some of these essential items will start to deplete those funds quickly. She cried at the thought that these funds, which she wanted to primarily start education savings and savings accounts for Brooklynn's future, would be used for things for her instead. This. This is why I am posting this.
What she needs:
A temporary ramp for her house, a handicap accessible bathroom, a wheelchair (insurance will cover an electric one, but the financial burden of a manual one for when she leaves the house for therapies lies on her), transportation to and from therapies, medical co-pays, deductibles and medical needs not covered by insurance (I never knew how much WASN'T covered by insurance until now). I would also really love to have funds available for hiring an in home nurse for even short periods of time so my Mom can have a weekend to visit her grandchildren or just take a moment to breathe for herself. Eventually, she will need a permanent ramp for wherever she decides to reside as well as a chair lift if she is able to purchase a townhouse.
Again, this fund is being established in response to those asking if one would be set up for her and if they could contribute. Please do not feel obligated and again, I thank you for your time reading this. ❤
My Sister's story:
I've always been so incredibly blown away by my Sister's strength; she truly is the strongest person I know.
I'll pick up the story starting in April, but know that the story doesn't start there. Within the past year, my Sister has experienced a few medical events, including a stroke last Fall, which have rendered her blind in her right eye as well as impacting her language center of her brain. She handled those events with humor and positivity throughout.
The morning of April 11th, Jen awoke to what I consider one of the most horrific nightmares I can imagine; she had no feeling from her sternum-down. In the storm of a worldwide pandemic, she was taken to the hospital and allowed no visitors for weeks while her amazing medical team worked to figure out what happened and why.
After those initial 2 weeks, she was transferred to a rehab facility where they continued to pursue a diagnosis, but also began the summit of rehabilitation. She was still allowed no visitors due to the pandemic, but on one day, she was at least able to hear her husband Shawn's voice when he dropped off a care package. She gushed to her therapists about just feeling a rush of relief even hearing his voice and knowing he was near her. The medical team commented on how much they could tell they loved each other just from that encounter.
Shawn reassured her daily that everything would be okay; that he loved her and would carry her everywhere she needed to go if he needed to while caring for their 3.5 year old daughter, Brooklynn. He was her rock through it all during those weeks.
On April 28th, Jen's Mom went to pick Brooklynn up to give Shawn some time to start preparing the house for Jen's homecoming in a few weeks. That day, the nightmare that had started just a few weeks prior turned to an absolute terror as she arrived to find that Shawn had passed away in his sleep during the night.
My sister's husband, the love of her life, the father of her child, her protector and her rock... is gone. There just aren't words to describe the hurt I have in my heart for her. I cannot imagine what she is going through, none of it. Still, her therapists commented that she continued to work harder than any patient they have had on her recovery. She channeled her pain into a drive to get home to see her daughter. Though rehabilitation efforts have gotten her to a place where she can do some things independently, the chances that she will regain feeling or function below her sternum are very low (1-3%). Her function in her hands has also been impacted. Unable to even make a fist, her mobility is very challenging at this point.
On June 4th, Jen was released from rehab into my Mom's care. She requires 24 hour care. At the moment, Jen will be staying at her and Shawn's house with my Mom. There are some thoughts that this may change if a townhouse becomes available near my Mom's. As of today, June 10th, there is no ramp for my Sister to get in and out of the house. She requires medical transport by ambulance if she needs to go to the hospital. The quotes received for a ramp thus far have been mind blowing. I'll reserve my comments on the prices of things meant to help those in need...
Which brings me to the point of all of this. My sister does have some life insurance coming to her in the coming months, however her eyes welled up with tears yesterday as we discussed the fact that some of these essential items will start to deplete those funds quickly. She cried at the thought that these funds, which she wanted to primarily start education savings and savings accounts for Brooklynn's future, would be used for things for her instead. This. This is why I am posting this.
What she needs:
A temporary ramp for her house, a handicap accessible bathroom, a wheelchair (insurance will cover an electric one, but the financial burden of a manual one for when she leaves the house for therapies lies on her), transportation to and from therapies, medical co-pays, deductibles and medical needs not covered by insurance (I never knew how much WASN'T covered by insurance until now). I would also really love to have funds available for hiring an in home nurse for even short periods of time so my Mom can have a weekend to visit her grandchildren or just take a moment to breathe for herself. Eventually, she will need a permanent ramp for wherever she decides to reside as well as a chair lift if she is able to purchase a townhouse.
Again, this fund is being established in response to those asking if one would be set up for her and if they could contribute. Please do not feel obligated and again, I thank you for your time reading this. ❤
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeny Carter
Beneficiary