Dryer's Journey - Seth's Battle with AFM
Donation protected
Thank you for all the support and prayers for Seth and the Dryer family. The Dryer family is overwhelmed with the generosity and caring our community has shown. Seth’s condition is improving. While he is still wheelchair bound and can’t speak or eat, he has gained movement in his legs and feet. He has movement in his left hand and wrist and his core strength has improved. Thanks to the generosity of a local chiropractor, Seth is receiving physical therapy twice a week at home. The new van will be delivered Wednesday, January 29th and will allow him transportation to doctor and therapy appointments. Thank you to Bobby Castrucci, Mike Castrucci Automotive, Mobility Works, and the Land Family for making this donation possible!
Thanks to the in-kind services of Andrew Cosgrove, of Cosgrove Residential Design, LLC., the preliminary plans for the addition to the Dryer home have been drawn up and are being adjusted to accommodate their individual needs as a family. It is their hope that Seth will have a room large enough to transfer in and out of his chair as well as have his belongings and medical supplies more available for use. Most importantly, it is their plan to build an accessible shower for Seth. In addition, they would like to make a space to prepare his medications, to wash and sterilize syringes and respiratory supplies and other medical needs.
Andrew Cosgrove specializes in disability accessibility design and has help several other families adapt their homes. Please consider a donation to the Dryer family, so the entire plan that Andrew is proposing can be implemented.
The exact cost of the addition isn’t known yet. All donations above the goal will be used toward the addition or other expenses that will incur. Will you stay with us on this journey by making a donation here or use the Contact button below to request the mailing address?
See local news coverage of the new van designed just for Seth.
Local News Shares Seth's Story:
Thank you to At Home with Gary Sullivan , Bill Cunningham (700WLW) , Sheree Paolello (WLWT),Jessica Schmidt (Fox19) for featuring Seth's journey, to Deer ParkCommunity City Schools for hosting #SethStrong - AFM Awareness Week, Dec. 9-13.
Seth's Story:
At the worst point, the only part of Seth’s body that wasn’t paralyzed were his eyebrows. He battled for his life in the ICU for four weeks.
Seth was a typical 15 year old. He spent his free time hanging out with friends, playing baritone in the Deer Park High School marching band, and playing video games. What isn’t typical about Seth is that he is a great listener and always showed extra concern for his peers. At his high school, he volunteered in a program where troubled students came for support. He was even recognized as a special contributor to this program. Everything changed for Seth in September of 2018. After several trips to the doctor and local hospital battling vomiting, weakness, neck pain and the inability to swallow, Seth was admitted to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on September 20th. By the next morning, he was taken to ICU where he battled for his life for the next four weeks.
Since that time Seth has been diagnosed with a rare and devastating Polio-like disease called Accute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) and has been fighting every minute to recover. Each day brings tiny steps toward recovery, but he is still almost completely paralyzed. The doctors warn that the road will be long and difficult and will involve many surgeries and therapy, if full rehabilitation comes at all.
Currently, Seth can only move his legs and feet, his left wrist and fingers (yet still weak) and his face. He is unable to swallow (eat or drink) and has a G-tube in his belly for nutrition. He cannot move or turn his head, move his shoulders or arms or his right hand (he is right-handed). He has had a tracheostomy and needs the help of a ventilator. He requires to be suctioned by mouth and by trach.
Imagine what it would be like to not be able to turn your head even an inch either way. Or to have an itch that you cannot scratch. To not be able to talk for months at a time or taste food. Can you imagine how stiff and sore your muscles would get from not moving? Even though Seth is paralyzed, that doesn’t mean he can’t feel. He can feel pain, he can feel discomfort.
After almost 13 months at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital, Seth came home on October 2, 2019, thanks to the help and prayers of many people. Now that Seth is home, will you help them with the transition to everyday life?
How you can help:
Some of the immediate needs include:
LPN or RN nurse: As in the hospital, Seth's recovery since coming home has been complicated. He requires 24 hour care by someone who is trained in trach and vent. Although he has been awarded 112 hours of nursing care through his waiver, acquiring a nurse has been impossible. Currently, Seth's mom Joni or brother Jake must be with him at all times. Because there is a shortage of nurses, Joni or Jake are providing all Seth's care. The family is in need of a LPN or a RN to help with care. Please reply to this post if you would like to refer a nurse. Nurses must work for a nursing agency or be an independent Provider (IP). Unfortunately Seth's waiver will not pay for any other staff including STNA and CNA.
Wheelchair Accessible Van: The Dryers need a wheelchair accessible van so they can take Seth out. Currently, they have NO transportation to doctor appointments or physical/occupational therapy. A donation of a van has been given by Mike Castrucci Ford via Deer Park graduate, Bobby Castrucci. THANK YOU!!!
Carport/outdoor space for Seth: Donation and installation of a carport so the family can spend time together outside in a wheelchair accessible space.
Accessible bathroom: It is the hope that the Dryers could build an addition on the back of their home to relocate their bathroom and make it wheelchair accessible. Their home does not provide enough square footage to enlarge their current bathroom. Seth has no access to the bathroom and must rely on bed baths to stay clean.
Long-term changes to make life better:
Because the Dryer home is 1200 square feet, space is limited for the family to function and accommodate medical supplies and full-time medical staff. A new house designed for Seth's long-term care would be a dream. In lieu of a new house an addition to their current home will help in meeting Seth's needs and making caregiving less complicated.
Donations are needed for construction, materials, and supplies to complete the addition. If you are able to help with any of these needs please send an email via this GoFundMe page.
Original GoFundMe explaining Seth's battle with AFM begins here:
At the worst point, the only part of Seth’s body that wasn’t paralyzed were his eyebrows. He battled for his life in the ICU for four weeks.
Seth was a typical 15 year old. He spent his free time hanging out with friends, playing baritone in the Deer Park High School marching band, and playing video games. What isn’t typical about Seth is that he is a great listener and always showed extra concern for his peers. At his high school, he volunteered in a program where troubled students came for support. He was even recognized as a special contributor to this program. Everything changed for Seth in September of 2018. After several trips to the doctor and local hospital battling vomiting, weakness, neck pain and the inability to swallow, Seth was admitted to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on September 20th. By the next morning, he was taken to ICU where he battled for his life for the next four weeks.
Since that time Seth has been diagnosed with a rare and devastating Polio-like disease called Accute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) and has been fighting every minute to recover. Each day brings tiny steps toward recovery, but he is still almost completely paralyzed. The doctors warn that the road will be long and difficult and will involve many surgeries and therapy, if full rehabilitation comes at all.
Currently, Seth can only move his legs and feet, his left wrist and fingers (yet still weak) and his face. He is unable to swallow (eat or drink) and has a G-tube in his belly for nutrition. He cannot move or turn his head, move his shoulders or arms or his right hand (he is right-handed). He has had a tracheostomy and needs the help of a ventilator. He requires to be suctioned by mouth and by trach.
Imagine what it would be like to not be able to turn your head even an inch either way. Or to have an itch that you cannot scratch. To not be able to talk for months at a time or taste food. Can you imagine how stiff and sore your muscles would get from not moving? Even though Seth is paralyzed, that doesn’t mean he can’t feel. He can feel pain, he can feel discomfort.
Since September 20, Seth’s family has been at his bedside 24 hours a day. The stress and financial burden on the family, including loss of income and travel expense from having at least one family member with Seth at all times has been immense. As they think of the next steps in Seth’s recovery - bringing him home - they are overwhelmed. Their family home of 28 years in Deer Park, Ohio is 1200 square feet, with two small bedrooms, one small bathroom, and family room and kitchen on the first floor and one bedroom on the second floor. In its current state, the house cannot accommodate any of the accessibility equipment Seth requires including a wheelchair, hospital bed, lift, a shower chair, ventilator, feeding machine, monthly shipments of supplies, and the technology that will help monitor Seth’s health.
Seth’s family is in desperate need of financial help to either renovate their current home or purchase a different home so they can provide for Seth’s immediate and long term needs as they go together through the coming years of rehabilitation and recovery. They need a safe place for Seth that can accommodate the equipment that will be needed for his care and rehabilitation as well as an environment that will be conducive to the needed team of support that it will take to care for Seth. As a long-time friend of the Dryer family, I am asking for any help that you can offer to make the road ahead a little easier for Seth and his family.
John and Joni Dryer and their nine children have had more than their fair share of tragedy in their lifetime, including a house fire and losing their third daughter/sister at the age of 19 to cancer. Will you please join me in showing the Dryer family that they are not alone by helping to prepare a handicapped accessible home for Seth?
Thanks to the in-kind services of Andrew Cosgrove, of Cosgrove Residential Design, LLC., the preliminary plans for the addition to the Dryer home have been drawn up and are being adjusted to accommodate their individual needs as a family. It is their hope that Seth will have a room large enough to transfer in and out of his chair as well as have his belongings and medical supplies more available for use. Most importantly, it is their plan to build an accessible shower for Seth. In addition, they would like to make a space to prepare his medications, to wash and sterilize syringes and respiratory supplies and other medical needs.
Andrew Cosgrove specializes in disability accessibility design and has help several other families adapt their homes. Please consider a donation to the Dryer family, so the entire plan that Andrew is proposing can be implemented.
The exact cost of the addition isn’t known yet. All donations above the goal will be used toward the addition or other expenses that will incur. Will you stay with us on this journey by making a donation here or use the Contact button below to request the mailing address?
See local news coverage of the new van designed just for Seth.
Local News Shares Seth's Story:
Thank you to At Home with Gary Sullivan , Bill Cunningham (700WLW) , Sheree Paolello (WLWT),Jessica Schmidt (Fox19) for featuring Seth's journey, to Deer ParkCommunity City Schools for hosting #SethStrong - AFM Awareness Week, Dec. 9-13.
Seth's Story:
At the worst point, the only part of Seth’s body that wasn’t paralyzed were his eyebrows. He battled for his life in the ICU for four weeks.
Seth was a typical 15 year old. He spent his free time hanging out with friends, playing baritone in the Deer Park High School marching band, and playing video games. What isn’t typical about Seth is that he is a great listener and always showed extra concern for his peers. At his high school, he volunteered in a program where troubled students came for support. He was even recognized as a special contributor to this program. Everything changed for Seth in September of 2018. After several trips to the doctor and local hospital battling vomiting, weakness, neck pain and the inability to swallow, Seth was admitted to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on September 20th. By the next morning, he was taken to ICU where he battled for his life for the next four weeks.
Since that time Seth has been diagnosed with a rare and devastating Polio-like disease called Accute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) and has been fighting every minute to recover. Each day brings tiny steps toward recovery, but he is still almost completely paralyzed. The doctors warn that the road will be long and difficult and will involve many surgeries and therapy, if full rehabilitation comes at all.
Currently, Seth can only move his legs and feet, his left wrist and fingers (yet still weak) and his face. He is unable to swallow (eat or drink) and has a G-tube in his belly for nutrition. He cannot move or turn his head, move his shoulders or arms or his right hand (he is right-handed). He has had a tracheostomy and needs the help of a ventilator. He requires to be suctioned by mouth and by trach.
Imagine what it would be like to not be able to turn your head even an inch either way. Or to have an itch that you cannot scratch. To not be able to talk for months at a time or taste food. Can you imagine how stiff and sore your muscles would get from not moving? Even though Seth is paralyzed, that doesn’t mean he can’t feel. He can feel pain, he can feel discomfort.
After almost 13 months at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital, Seth came home on October 2, 2019, thanks to the help and prayers of many people. Now that Seth is home, will you help them with the transition to everyday life?
How you can help:
Some of the immediate needs include:
LPN or RN nurse: As in the hospital, Seth's recovery since coming home has been complicated. He requires 24 hour care by someone who is trained in trach and vent. Although he has been awarded 112 hours of nursing care through his waiver, acquiring a nurse has been impossible. Currently, Seth's mom Joni or brother Jake must be with him at all times. Because there is a shortage of nurses, Joni or Jake are providing all Seth's care. The family is in need of a LPN or a RN to help with care. Please reply to this post if you would like to refer a nurse. Nurses must work for a nursing agency or be an independent Provider (IP). Unfortunately Seth's waiver will not pay for any other staff including STNA and CNA.
Wheelchair Accessible Van: The Dryers need a wheelchair accessible van so they can take Seth out. Currently, they have NO transportation to doctor appointments or physical/occupational therapy. A donation of a van has been given by Mike Castrucci Ford via Deer Park graduate, Bobby Castrucci. THANK YOU!!!
Carport/outdoor space for Seth: Donation and installation of a carport so the family can spend time together outside in a wheelchair accessible space.
Accessible bathroom: It is the hope that the Dryers could build an addition on the back of their home to relocate their bathroom and make it wheelchair accessible. Their home does not provide enough square footage to enlarge their current bathroom. Seth has no access to the bathroom and must rely on bed baths to stay clean.
Long-term changes to make life better:
Because the Dryer home is 1200 square feet, space is limited for the family to function and accommodate medical supplies and full-time medical staff. A new house designed for Seth's long-term care would be a dream. In lieu of a new house an addition to their current home will help in meeting Seth's needs and making caregiving less complicated.
Donations are needed for construction, materials, and supplies to complete the addition. If you are able to help with any of these needs please send an email via this GoFundMe page.
Original GoFundMe explaining Seth's battle with AFM begins here:
At the worst point, the only part of Seth’s body that wasn’t paralyzed were his eyebrows. He battled for his life in the ICU for four weeks.
Seth was a typical 15 year old. He spent his free time hanging out with friends, playing baritone in the Deer Park High School marching band, and playing video games. What isn’t typical about Seth is that he is a great listener and always showed extra concern for his peers. At his high school, he volunteered in a program where troubled students came for support. He was even recognized as a special contributor to this program. Everything changed for Seth in September of 2018. After several trips to the doctor and local hospital battling vomiting, weakness, neck pain and the inability to swallow, Seth was admitted to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on September 20th. By the next morning, he was taken to ICU where he battled for his life for the next four weeks.
Since that time Seth has been diagnosed with a rare and devastating Polio-like disease called Accute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) and has been fighting every minute to recover. Each day brings tiny steps toward recovery, but he is still almost completely paralyzed. The doctors warn that the road will be long and difficult and will involve many surgeries and therapy, if full rehabilitation comes at all.
Currently, Seth can only move his legs and feet, his left wrist and fingers (yet still weak) and his face. He is unable to swallow (eat or drink) and has a G-tube in his belly for nutrition. He cannot move or turn his head, move his shoulders or arms or his right hand (he is right-handed). He has had a tracheostomy and needs the help of a ventilator. He requires to be suctioned by mouth and by trach.
Imagine what it would be like to not be able to turn your head even an inch either way. Or to have an itch that you cannot scratch. To not be able to talk for months at a time or taste food. Can you imagine how stiff and sore your muscles would get from not moving? Even though Seth is paralyzed, that doesn’t mean he can’t feel. He can feel pain, he can feel discomfort.
Since September 20, Seth’s family has been at his bedside 24 hours a day. The stress and financial burden on the family, including loss of income and travel expense from having at least one family member with Seth at all times has been immense. As they think of the next steps in Seth’s recovery - bringing him home - they are overwhelmed. Their family home of 28 years in Deer Park, Ohio is 1200 square feet, with two small bedrooms, one small bathroom, and family room and kitchen on the first floor and one bedroom on the second floor. In its current state, the house cannot accommodate any of the accessibility equipment Seth requires including a wheelchair, hospital bed, lift, a shower chair, ventilator, feeding machine, monthly shipments of supplies, and the technology that will help monitor Seth’s health.
Seth’s family is in desperate need of financial help to either renovate their current home or purchase a different home so they can provide for Seth’s immediate and long term needs as they go together through the coming years of rehabilitation and recovery. They need a safe place for Seth that can accommodate the equipment that will be needed for his care and rehabilitation as well as an environment that will be conducive to the needed team of support that it will take to care for Seth. As a long-time friend of the Dryer family, I am asking for any help that you can offer to make the road ahead a little easier for Seth and his family.
John and Joni Dryer and their nine children have had more than their fair share of tragedy in their lifetime, including a house fire and losing their third daughter/sister at the age of 19 to cancer. Will you please join me in showing the Dryer family that they are not alone by helping to prepare a handicapped accessible home for Seth?
Organizer and beneficiary
Andrea Bowsher
Organizer
Cincinnati, OH
Joni Dryer
Beneficiary
