Lee LaFlamme's Medical Fund

Saturday, July 1st started out like any other normal day, but with one phone call, the lives of our family changed.  My dad, Lee LaFlamme, and my uncle were going to spend the weekend fishing. While they were getting ready, my uncle found Dad unresponsive and unconscious.  The dire situation my father was in required him to be flown to Duluth, Minnesota.  My mom and I received a phone call from the doctor and found out the cause of his situation: a ruptured brain aneurysm. In Duluth they released the pressure off of his brain. Since they were not equipped to handle the kind of care he required, back on the helicopter he went to St. Paul.  The next few days were very critical. We weren’t sure at the time if he would survive such a traumatic event, especially with the various complications that kept arising which required my dad be transferred to yet another hospital, this time in Minneapolis. There they had the life-saving equipment my father needed. He was alive, but was in an induced coma.

As time went on, even though he was becoming more stable, we still didn’t know if he would wake up. During this time we had also found out Dad had suffered two strokes. For the better part of the month my dad remained in a coma.  He awoke towards the end of July and started to become aware of his surroundings.  The medical professionals had made the critical decision to fly Dad to Minnesota where he could receive the initial life-saving care he needed.  But, it was now time to look into moving Dad back to Wisconsin.  Due to Wisconsin laws this required Mom to be granted guardianship which brought along legal fees, getting a lawyer, filing papers, and going to court.  After a successful move, Dad is back in Wisconsin and is now at Clearwater Care Center continuing his long road to recovery.

My dad’s medical coverage that has, thankfully, been in place since the beginning will come to an end at the beginning of February.  Although Dad is improving more and more throughout the weeks it is still unknown when he will be able to come home.   While he is still receiving care at Clearwater the cost will now be uninsured.  We all know that ongoing medical costs add up quickly and in my dad’s instance it will cost $261 per day at Clearwater.  Along with other speech, language, physical, and occupational therapies, medical costs will be around $9,000 per month.  

My dad, Lee LaFlamme, has touched so many people throughout his everyday life.  He was a teacher, a coach, a confidant, a mentor, and so much more to many.  I would like to ask any who know him, who have been impacted by him, or who have been there making memories with him throughout the years to help support his continued road to recovery.  He’s a fighter and always has been. He’s the strongest person I know, but even heroes need support.  If you are able to donate please know that the “pay it forward” will be our mantra.  Dad would have it no other way.  

Company and time spent with familiar faces will also play a huge part in Dad’s recovery so please feel free to stop by anytime.  He would love to see you all.  The address for Clearwater Care Center is: 2120 Heights Drive, Eau Claire, WI and they are open for visitors anytime from 8am to 8pm.  

Happiest of Holidays to you all.