Join Team WSP IV

This is Debbie Pittman, writing for the Pittman family in response to the many devoted friends and family who have asked if they can help with medical and care expenses for our beloved son and brother, William Shepherd Pittman, IV. You can call him Shepherd -- or if you want to irritate him a bit, call him Shep. Shepherd lives in New York City with his much-posted-about, much-photographed dog Radar. The rest of us are scattered across the country, but he has always made us a priority: traveling to special events, calling, and keeping in touch with family and friends. He is loyal, incredibly witty, smart, athletic (ok, just kidding about that part), a lover of TV and movies and podcasts, a gifted writer, and a self-proclaimed amazing karaoke singer.

Early Monday morning, 4/21, the neighbors underneath Shepherd’s Brooklyn apartment heard several very loud bangs and went to check on him. He had fallen down the 20+ narrow stairs leading to his apartment and seemed unconscious. At the ER, they found a large brain bleed, some broken facial bones, damage to his left eye, and he could not move his left arm or leg. The ambulance took him to a hospital that was overcrowded and understaffed, and he spent the first two nights in less than ideal situations in the ER Trauma Center. From there he was moved to the ICU, where he is seeing teams of specialists and undergoing tests all throughout the day. His official diagnosis is hemorrhagic stroke. Whether he fell and then had a stroke, or the stroke led to the fall, we may never know. There are heart issues, clots, but we see Shepherd in his whispered mumblings of wit and his protestations about his hospital clothes (or lack thereof).

What we do know is that Shepherd has a long road ahead of him. We are told to expect ups and downs. Lord-willing, from the hospital he will be moved to an intensive rehab center with aggressive therapies ahead. He didn't have insurance when he fell, and we are still navigating future options for someone with his diagnosis, but he does have people who love him and care about him. Communication has been difficult because of the partial paralysis and the meds.

Speaking for the family, I want to add one note to this donation post: GoFundMe requires a goal. Our goal is to see as much of the old Shepherd as we can. We need help to get him there and to have family by his side during the process. From what every medical person has told us, those with support and encouragement have the best chance of recovery. We are committed to doing that, no matter what. My husband set a goal of $50,000 after he heard that transport alone could cost $35,000. We just want to make sure we can help Shepherd take advantage of whatever care will best help him move forward in his recovery. Thank you for considering helping him financially, and especially for praying for Shepherd.