Ken and Vickie Wagar Recovery and Rebuilding

We have started this GoFundMe to help our parents as they recover physically and emotionally from a devasting house fire.

My brother Keith and I were alerted on Thursday evening, 4/11, that our parent's home caught fire and both were airlifted to Orlando Regional Burn Center; Mom in stable condition and Dad in critical, unstable condition.

Once they arrived, Mom was admitted for observation under a watchful eye for burn complications and smoke inhalation. Thankfully, she was alert, breathing on her own, and did not need to be intubated. Both my brother and I were able to speak with her briefly on the phone.

Dad was placed under sedation and remains in ICU in critical condition, though he is now considered stable. Due to his already compromised lung function, he is currently on a ventilator, receiving high doses of oxygen and a mixture of drugs to help heal his lungs. Initially, his burns appeared to be severe enough to require surgery, though that seems to no longer be necessary.

We believe the house, vehicle, and all of their belongings were destroyed in the fire.

My brother and I are now in Orlando and have spent much of the day at the hospital. Mom is doing quite well, receiving breathing treatments for smoke inhalation and remarkably escaped with only a small 1st degree burn on her left arm.

We were able to spend about 45 minutes with Dad in ICU. He is currently on the lowest dosage of sedation and was able to squeeze our hands, nod and shake his head, and even flutter his eyes a bit in recogition of our touch and voices. He has 2nd degree burns on his forehead and top of head, and 3rd degree burns on his right hand, all being treated topically . We realized (heart-wrenchingly so), until Mom took his hand and spoke his name, he had no idea she was alive! Now, he has all the more reason to fight and get well♥️

The road to recovery will be long and very difficult. The truth is, we have no idea what will be needed in the short or long-term. Once we have a better understanding of actual needs, we will update this page as well as begin coordinating efforts to assist in rebuilding their lives.

Thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes will go a long way and we are forever grateful for everyone who loves and cares for these two incredible people!

Thank you in advance for all your love and support and please share this post.

Take care of each other and hold your loved ones close.

Keith and Katara