Eight months ago the unimaginable happened. Our dear friend Cary Miller (Carl Hippensteel's husband of 41 years) had 3 strokes: 2 massive strokes on the right side of his brain and a smaller one on the left side. Cary had 3 surgeries and was in the ICU for 5 weeks. Carl slept in Cary's ICU room for 25 nights in a row.

Some of you may know Cary and Carl from Kansas City where they met at theatre grad school. Cary was an actor and Carl was a director. Some of you may know them from when they moved to Chicago (where they currently live) in 1997. Eventually, Carl became a psychotherapist in Evanston and Cary became a paralegal in Chicago.

Cary has made significant progress since his strokes last December. He is off the ventilator and his tracheotomy and feeding tube have been removed. He can talk well (Cary claims better than Bette Davis did after her stroke). Other progress has been re-learning how to swallow, eat, and hold utensils. He is still struggling with eyesight, sitting up on his own, and walking. Cary has been in a sub-acute rehab facility in Evanston dealing with intense nerve pain while having daily rehab work to regain mobility. Last week Cary had follow-up surgery to repair his craniotomy which was required due to brain swelling in the ICU last December.

Carl is attempting to work as a psychotherapist while being there for his husband every day. Carl attends Cary's rehab appointments, doctor appointments, medical procedures, and surgeries. If you see something like a flash of light in Evanston it is probably Carl bouncing back and forth between his work and his husband.

This has been so difficult emotionally, physically, and financially for them. Since the stroke they have lost Cary's income and Carl has had to reduce his workload to be with his husband, not just emotionally but also as an advocate. Eventually, Carl and Cary will need a new home, without stairs, that can physically accommodate Cary's needs.

Both Cary and Carl have dedicated their lives to helping others. They have been in the arts, direct service industry, legal, and social services for years. You couldn't meet two more kind and loving people.

Any monies contributed to this GoFundMe campaign will be used for:

Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

(This GoFundMe was created by Christine Koppe, Laurie Rice Blackley, and Kevin Doyle)