Let's Get Gary to Cleveland Clinic!
Donation protected
Gary had a heart attack on August 14, 2002 (45 years old). The paramedics had to shock him three times to bring him back. Since then he has had almost constant health problems and chronic pain. He has had multiple surgeries and procedures in the almost sixteen years, including stints, open heart surgery, and “installing” a pacemaker and defibrillator, neck surgery and carpal tunnel surgery, yet there continues to be little improvement and the pain continues to worsen. He takes several different kinds of medications (including some opioids) and now has gastrointestinal issues as well.
He has not been able to work, and because the doctor couldn’t figure out what was wrong, he has been unable to get any kind of disability payment. A few years ago, the doctor finally said he could apply for disability but it was too late. In order to get disability payments, Gary would have had to work in the last 4 years – it had been over 10.
As you can imagine, this has been a financial nightmare for he and his wife Jeeni. If not for their good financial decisions early in their marriage, and Jeeni’s ability to persevere and keep working they would have gone bankrupt long ago.
Mom took him to the Cleveland Clinic in January of this year, hoping to get some answers. He was there for three days being evaluated and meeting with doctors. They basically confirmed that his doctors at home were doing pretty much all they can do, but they did have one recommendation- their Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program. This is a clip from their website:
“The Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program is a multidisciplinary medical, physical and psychological rehabilitation program for individuals with chronic pain – combining multiple specialties to deliver individualized and group care that has led to successful treatment and improved quality of life for more than 6000 patients.” They don’t promise to rid Gary completely from pain, but they can get him off most of his medications and give him ways to manage the pain. Sounds like a great program, right?? We think so, but it’s pretty pricey - $15,000 - and he would have to be there for 3 weeks. They want Jeeni to be there for a portion of the time as well. So, we are hoping and praying to raise $20,000 (15 for the program and 5 for travel, lodging and food). Gary has pursued his doctors at home and has started trying to wean himself off the opioids, but it is proving to be a very difficult and long process. We think he has the best opportunity for a good outcome with the Cleveland Clinic.
Many people have asked about him and have expressed concern. Now there is something we can actually do for him (other than the many prayers I know that have been lifted up for him and have helped to sustain him). If you are able, please give – any amount can be a big help.
Here are some ideas of what people working together can do to help Gary get to the Cleveland Clinic!!
1000 people giving $20 each: $20,000
400 people giving $50 each: $20,000
Our family thanks you for praying for Gary and for considering helping us! We are hoping to raise the money and surprise Gary & Jeeni as soon as possible - April 15th is our hope.
He has not been able to work, and because the doctor couldn’t figure out what was wrong, he has been unable to get any kind of disability payment. A few years ago, the doctor finally said he could apply for disability but it was too late. In order to get disability payments, Gary would have had to work in the last 4 years – it had been over 10.
As you can imagine, this has been a financial nightmare for he and his wife Jeeni. If not for their good financial decisions early in their marriage, and Jeeni’s ability to persevere and keep working they would have gone bankrupt long ago.
Mom took him to the Cleveland Clinic in January of this year, hoping to get some answers. He was there for three days being evaluated and meeting with doctors. They basically confirmed that his doctors at home were doing pretty much all they can do, but they did have one recommendation- their Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program. This is a clip from their website:
“The Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program is a multidisciplinary medical, physical and psychological rehabilitation program for individuals with chronic pain – combining multiple specialties to deliver individualized and group care that has led to successful treatment and improved quality of life for more than 6000 patients.” They don’t promise to rid Gary completely from pain, but they can get him off most of his medications and give him ways to manage the pain. Sounds like a great program, right?? We think so, but it’s pretty pricey - $15,000 - and he would have to be there for 3 weeks. They want Jeeni to be there for a portion of the time as well. So, we are hoping and praying to raise $20,000 (15 for the program and 5 for travel, lodging and food). Gary has pursued his doctors at home and has started trying to wean himself off the opioids, but it is proving to be a very difficult and long process. We think he has the best opportunity for a good outcome with the Cleveland Clinic.
Many people have asked about him and have expressed concern. Now there is something we can actually do for him (other than the many prayers I know that have been lifted up for him and have helped to sustain him). If you are able, please give – any amount can be a big help.
Here are some ideas of what people working together can do to help Gary get to the Cleveland Clinic!!
1000 people giving $20 each: $20,000
400 people giving $50 each: $20,000
Our family thanks you for praying for Gary and for considering helping us! We are hoping to raise the money and surprise Gary & Jeeni as soon as possible - April 15th is our hope.
Organizer
Amy Wolfe
Organizer
Marshall, NC
