My name is Randy and I am fundraising for my son Michael, his wife Amy and their family. Amy’s best friend Maryann is also helping to fundraise for the family and she has provided their story below:

Mike is a loving father of two smart and sweet girls, Savannah (9yrs) and Madilyn (2yrs) and he is a supportive husband to Amy who is my best friend; truly she is family to me and mine. They are going through a very trying time and I wish that I could do more to help them.  I am writing this to share their story with the network of people in their lives that know and love them.  I hope that if you are able that you consider contributing to help this sweet family so that they can manage their medical expenses, income loss and to help them be able to maintain their lives comfortably as a family during this crisis.

 

On Thanksgiving day while Mike and Amy were hosting their extended family at their home Mike injured himself badly dislocating his knee and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Not only did they miss out on having their Thanksgiving meal with their family but they also missed out on the opportunity to create joyful memories with loved ones. Not only was this a national holiday but it was also his daughter Madilyn’s 2nd birthday. Ultimately Mike and Amy learned that he had torn everything in his right knee (Patella tendon, meniscus, ACL, MCL, and IT band). Mike had surgery on his knee this past Tuesday (December 5th)  and has an upcoming post-op appointment later this month. The Doctors are uncertain if the surgery will be able to repair all the damage and potentially will be having to undergo a second surgery along with months of physical therapy. He is in a lot of pain and is not able to be mobile without help. This leaves Mike unable to operate his small business during his recovery, which could be 4 months and up to nine months.

 

Mike has provided a service to the Raleigh community for several years with his small business by way of his deliciously crafted homemade meals that he personally delivers to families weekly.  He supports a small staff with his business as well.  With his medical situation, he is not able to operate his business and this impacts his family, staff and community that he serves.  With being a small business owner, quality insurance is not available and this will prove to be a greater financial impact than just the loss of income.

 

Both Mike and Amy are small business owners contributing services to our local community here in Raleigh. If you know them, I am sure they have impacted your lives in a positive way and I know without a doubt that if anyone in my family were in this situation they would be among the first people to step up by my side to help and I feel confident in saying that many of you reading this agree that they would do the same for you because they just are those people; with huge, giving hearts. I can only imagine the daily struggles of keeping up the family routines from the children’s care and schooling, after school activities and basic tasks of keeping up the household with a parent that is essentially in need of care as well and not able to contribute in the family workload like they would want to and have been contributing. This dynamic is impacting Amy and her operating her small business as well with having to be available more with her family during this time to care for her children and her husband.

 

My hope is that with everyone's help Savannah and Madi can feel little to no impact from this if we can help come together to pick up the pieces and fill the gaps for this family. They deserve to have a full holiday this season and be able to have their parents present with as little stress as possible. The Saunders family has a long road ahead with medical care and learning to operate in a different capacity. 

Thank you for your support as Mike works his way back to full health alongside his supportive family and friends.