Greg's Medical Exp & Home Retrofit
Donation protected
I am raising monies for Greg and Cheryl Lemos, fellow square dancers and friends.
Early in November Greg fell 20 feet off of a roof and severely damaged his spinal cord and is paralyzed from his chest down, but is improving everyday.
Please read his wife Cheryl's blog http://www.fivestarjourney.blogspot.com/
The wonderful folks at UVM Medical Center put Greg back together again, surgeries/reconstruction to the front and back of his neck. He has a C5//C6 level injury-meaning he can move some of his right and left arms and wrists. His left is stronger and it is expected that with rehabilitation these areas will get stronger.
He has the ability to breathe now with a trachestomy, but is still on a ventilator at night. He spent well over a week on a ventilator without the ability to speak and then had to transition to a trach with a speaking valve with took another week. He has intense cough assist treatments, something he will require the rest of his life. However, as he gets stronger, off the respirator, and no trach, this will be less intense.
It is unknown how much more function will return, but exercise and training will give Greg the ability to do a fair amount. They are on a journey of years that will require continuous adaptions. Today they are at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital with some of the finest doctors and therapists around. Greg works with the occupational therapist on using his left arm/wrist/hand to begin to learn how to raise his hand to his mouth for the ability to learn to eat, brush teeth, etc. He works with the physical therapist on driving a powered wheel chair and exercises to become stronger.
My husband and I met Greg and Cheryl square dancing.
They both always wear a smile and have a great attitude. Greg is a fighter and knows it is going to take work to gain function and Cheryl will be a strong supporter on his journey. Greg wants to go home within the next month or so. Before he can go home, his house needs some retrofitting to accomodate his disability. The monies collected will be used for medical expenses they have incurred and the retrofitting of his home. Ramps, bathroom retrofit, and other adjustments to allow him to live at home are all needed.
I was in a simular situation earlier in my life, my husband went blind. I know the gratitude I still hold in my heart for my friends, family and co-workers that came together and financially helped us during a difficult time. Please help Greg and Cheryl get through this challenging time and let them spend their energy on Greg getting stronger, not worring about how they will be able to get him home or excessive medical expenses.
I am asking friends, family, fellow square dancers and anyone who knows what a helping hand can do when times are tough, to please donate to Greg & Cheryl. Your gift will help make a difference. Please help us reach our goal by January 30th, so we can help them to retrofit their home to be able bring Greg home!
Thank you and God Bless Us Everyone!
Florence
Early in November Greg fell 20 feet off of a roof and severely damaged his spinal cord and is paralyzed from his chest down, but is improving everyday.
Please read his wife Cheryl's blog http://www.fivestarjourney.blogspot.com/
The wonderful folks at UVM Medical Center put Greg back together again, surgeries/reconstruction to the front and back of his neck. He has a C5//C6 level injury-meaning he can move some of his right and left arms and wrists. His left is stronger and it is expected that with rehabilitation these areas will get stronger.
He has the ability to breathe now with a trachestomy, but is still on a ventilator at night. He spent well over a week on a ventilator without the ability to speak and then had to transition to a trach with a speaking valve with took another week. He has intense cough assist treatments, something he will require the rest of his life. However, as he gets stronger, off the respirator, and no trach, this will be less intense.
It is unknown how much more function will return, but exercise and training will give Greg the ability to do a fair amount. They are on a journey of years that will require continuous adaptions. Today they are at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital with some of the finest doctors and therapists around. Greg works with the occupational therapist on using his left arm/wrist/hand to begin to learn how to raise his hand to his mouth for the ability to learn to eat, brush teeth, etc. He works with the physical therapist on driving a powered wheel chair and exercises to become stronger.
My husband and I met Greg and Cheryl square dancing.
They both always wear a smile and have a great attitude. Greg is a fighter and knows it is going to take work to gain function and Cheryl will be a strong supporter on his journey. Greg wants to go home within the next month or so. Before he can go home, his house needs some retrofitting to accomodate his disability. The monies collected will be used for medical expenses they have incurred and the retrofitting of his home. Ramps, bathroom retrofit, and other adjustments to allow him to live at home are all needed.
I was in a simular situation earlier in my life, my husband went blind. I know the gratitude I still hold in my heart for my friends, family and co-workers that came together and financially helped us during a difficult time. Please help Greg and Cheryl get through this challenging time and let them spend their energy on Greg getting stronger, not worring about how they will be able to get him home or excessive medical expenses.
I am asking friends, family, fellow square dancers and anyone who knows what a helping hand can do when times are tough, to please donate to Greg & Cheryl. Your gift will help make a difference. Please help us reach our goal by January 30th, so we can help them to retrofit their home to be able bring Greg home!
Thank you and God Bless Us Everyone!
Florence
Organizer and beneficiary
Florence Sanford
Organizer
Peru, NY
Cheryl Lesser
Beneficiary
