Laura Anderson's COVID Recovery Fund

Many of you know my brother Shawn Anderson and his lovely wife Laura as the owners of Mornin' Glory Coffee in Webster City, Iowa. Shawn and Laura were married in 2015 and took over the coffee shop the following year, growing it into a welcoming and vital social hub for our community.

On Friday, October 29th of this year, Laura was admitted to the Critical Care Unit at Unity Point/Trinity Regional Hospital in Fort Dodge for treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia symptoms. She was quickly intubated with a ventilator and began a multitude of life support treatments.

The past several weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster for Shawn, their five adult children, three grandchildren, and extended family. We have seen Laura make gains towards recovery only to be followed by terrifying setbacks. Shawn and Madeline, Laura's daughter, have been by Laura's side every moment possible, every day, even being allowed to stay overnight in the CCU when Laura's condition was most critical.

The family is happy to report that Laura's condition has improved remarkably over the past two weeks, from the darkest and scariest hour to where she is now, off the ventilator, part-time, and off sedation, and taking significant steps towards leaving the CCU and beginning her physical rehabilitation journey.

Shawn and Laura are so grateful for their staff at Mornin Glory Coffee, who have been able to keep the business open and operating in their absence. They are also overwhelmed with the loving prayers, concern, and support from their customers and the broader community. Without you, this period would have been even more complex and fraught with financial worries.

Although Laura has made significant steps towards recovery, she still has a very long road of rehabilitation ahead of her. Severe COVID-19 survivors like Laura often require six months to a year or more of physical, cognitive, and emotional therapy after their experience in the CCU.

Shawn and Laura purchased Wellmark insurance through the government marketplace as self-employed business owners, but their plan comes with a very high out-of-pocket maximum. They have nearly enough saved to cover much of the expenses incurred so far, but insurance provides limited options for support of Laura's long-term recovery care.

For this reason, we are asking you to consider contributing to Laura's long-term recovery fund. Anyone who has met Laura knows the warm, bright light she shares with her beautiful smile. Please help us bring her smile back to Mornin' Glory Coffee.