Mark's Amputation Rehabilitation Fund
Donation protected
When we first found out that Mark had to have his leg amputated, our immediate grieving thoughts were about whether he would ever ride his bike again. Anyone who knows him understands that his life has been defined by the mental freedom of cycling.
WHAT HAPPENED?
On May 28th, 2020, shortly after Mark returned from a bike ride, his lower right leg went numb and he lost the ability to lift his foot. Our assumption was that this had to do with symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, a nerve disease Mark has kept at bay since 1992.
Six days later his leg turned red and swollen An ultrasound showed an aneurysm in the artery behind the knee and several blood clots. The doctors attempt to break up the clots and to perform by-pass surgery to recover blood flow to the lower leg were unsuccessful, and they had to amputate his leg above the knee.
This was sudden, shocking, and traumatic for everyone. Fortunately, the surgeries have gone as smoothly as possible, and Mark has been doing inpatient recovery since then.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Mark is strong, resilient, and a beacon of inspiration for everyone. From the beginning, he has kept an upbeat attitude with his eyes firmly set on a goal of returning to his formerly active lifestyle, including getting back on his bicycle. His ‘can-do’ attitude is serving him well in his rehabilitation activities. He was accepted into the inpatient rehabilitation center for three weeks of physical and occupational therapy, where he is exceeding all expectations! Because he was so physically active prior to the amputation, his other leg and arms are strong and he is moving like a champion, as he trains to for mobility using a walker on one leg.
Mark’s wound has to heal before he can be fit for his prosthetic leg. Because he is so active he will be fitted with a prosthesis with a micro-processing system in the knee for people who are more active.
Meanwhile, the extended family and community have been working hard to reshape his home environment making it as accessible and comfortable as possible. This includes making a number of structural home improvement projects throughout the house.
We are looking forward to welcoming him home on June 30, 2020.
WHAT HAPPENED?
On May 28th, 2020, shortly after Mark returned from a bike ride, his lower right leg went numb and he lost the ability to lift his foot. Our assumption was that this had to do with symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, a nerve disease Mark has kept at bay since 1992.
Six days later his leg turned red and swollen An ultrasound showed an aneurysm in the artery behind the knee and several blood clots. The doctors attempt to break up the clots and to perform by-pass surgery to recover blood flow to the lower leg were unsuccessful, and they had to amputate his leg above the knee.
This was sudden, shocking, and traumatic for everyone. Fortunately, the surgeries have gone as smoothly as possible, and Mark has been doing inpatient recovery since then.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Mark is strong, resilient, and a beacon of inspiration for everyone. From the beginning, he has kept an upbeat attitude with his eyes firmly set on a goal of returning to his formerly active lifestyle, including getting back on his bicycle. His ‘can-do’ attitude is serving him well in his rehabilitation activities. He was accepted into the inpatient rehabilitation center for three weeks of physical and occupational therapy, where he is exceeding all expectations! Because he was so physically active prior to the amputation, his other leg and arms are strong and he is moving like a champion, as he trains to for mobility using a walker on one leg.
Mark’s wound has to heal before he can be fit for his prosthetic leg. Because he is so active he will be fitted with a prosthesis with a micro-processing system in the knee for people who are more active.
Meanwhile, the extended family and community have been working hard to reshape his home environment making it as accessible and comfortable as possible. This includes making a number of structural home improvement projects throughout the house.
We are looking forward to welcoming him home on June 30, 2020.
A STATEMENT FROM MARK
“Thank you for your outpouring of support. Susan and I are blessed by your good thoughts, prayers, and offers to help me in my road back to full recovery. This is definitely a challenge but I’m determined to do what is necessary to get back to a fully active and healthy lifestyle. Riding my bike keeps me sane and I look forward to getting back out on the road.”
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP!
You don't have to give money to support us. Susan and Mark are both going through a transitional period with a lot of uncertainty. Here are a few simple ways you can help out through these difficult times:
- Keep writing him letters and emails!
- Bring food
- Walk the dogs / dogsit
- Junk removal
- Landscaping
- Handyman fixes that arise
- Home maintenance and upkeep (gutter cleaning, etc.)
- Communal grocery shopping
- Marks personal limo driver (chauffer)
- Socially distanced visits
- Frozen meals
Please get in contact with anyone on the fundraising team if you wish to be more involved in the recovery and rehabilitation process. Thank you so much for reading our story!
“Thank you for your outpouring of support. Susan and I are blessed by your good thoughts, prayers, and offers to help me in my road back to full recovery. This is definitely a challenge but I’m determined to do what is necessary to get back to a fully active and healthy lifestyle. Riding my bike keeps me sane and I look forward to getting back out on the road.”
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP!
You don't have to give money to support us. Susan and Mark are both going through a transitional period with a lot of uncertainty. Here are a few simple ways you can help out through these difficult times:
- Keep writing him letters and emails!
- Bring food
- Walk the dogs / dogsit
- Junk removal
- Landscaping
- Handyman fixes that arise
- Communal grocery shopping
- Marks personal limo driver (chauffer)
- Socially distanced visits
- Frozen meals
Please get in contact with anyone on the fundraising team if you wish to be more involved in the recovery and rehabilitation process. Thank you so much for reading our story!
Fundraising team: Mark's Community (5)
Sean Gibbons
Organizer
Ashland, OR
Susan J Meyerott
Beneficiary
Louis Guidi
Team member
Tracy Gibbons
Team member
Winnie Lam
Team member
