Dear Friends, 

I'm writing this because our friend, poet and artist Laura Orem, is facing a family health crisis and needs your help. Over the years Laura has been generous with her help and support and it's heartbreaking that she's now facing a medical crisis.

Her husband, Rick Orem, suffered a stroke in their Palm Coast FL home last week. He was rushed to the hospital and given clot-busting drugs, but the doctors discovered much larger clot that needed to be immediately removed surgically. Rick was airlifted to Advent Hospital in Orlando where the surgery was successfully performed.

Rick has been transferred to in-patient rehab to begin the long, difficult road of therapy and recuperation. He also faces more surgery in future to repair the artery so another stroke doesn't happen.

Laura is staying with friends in Orlando so she can be close to Rick while he receives intensive therapy. While the generosity of these friends has circumvented hotel bills, Rick and Laura are facing some significant expenses in order for Rick to return home safely.

1.  VEHICLE EXPENSES

Rick and Laura are without a working vehicle. Laura is being driven back and forth to the hospital by her friends, which is  inconvenient and expensive for them. Laura and Rick's 1999 Suburban needs repairs which normally Rick would make. These will now need to be completed by a mechanic.

In addition, it may be necessary to sell the truck and purchase a new (used) vehicle that Rick will be able to get in and out of safely. If this is the case, the truck still needs to be repaired so it can be used in the interim and sold.

2. HOME MODIFICATIONS

Laura and Rick will need to add safety railings and other modifications in their bathroom and shower.

3. TRAVEL EXPENSES WHILE IN ORLANDO

Even though Laura is staying with friends, there are still expenses for food and to reimburse these friends for gas. In addition, shoes and clothes had to be purchased for Rick's rehabilitation.

Laura is on disability and Rick is retired and on Social Security, so these unexpected anticipated expenses have hit them hard. Any amount you can donate would help them and be most gratefully received as they face the challenges ahead in Rick's rehabilitation and recovery. Please share as well!


Thank you!