Please Help Support Jim's ALS Dignified Care Journey

HELP DR. JIM GOUGH LIVE THE REMAINDER OF HIS LIFE WITH DIGNITY AND THE CARE HE NEEDS **NEW ALS DIAGNOSIS

Jim Gough has spent his life taking care of others and many have benefited from his kindness. However, he did not take care of himself (including financially). He is 80, 6’7” and is down to about 170 pounds.

Medical conditions:

• Severe diabetes requiring 2/day insulin injections;

• Diabetes resulted in 1/3rd of foot amputation which has led to chronic ulcers (open wounds) on amputated foot/chronic infections;

• Neuropathy with almost no feeling below the knees;

• Pacemaker, A-Fib, and other heart issues;

• Stage 3 renal failure (kidneys);

• Gout;

• Incontinence;

• Extreme weakness, needs help to sit up, eat, or do almost anything although his brain works well;

• He requires specialized equipment including a wheelchair, motorized lift recliner, Hoyer lift (mechanical transfer device), special bed, and more.

Financial situation:

Jim has been in various facilities the last 90 days---multiple hospital trips, a rehab hospital, a skilled nursing facility, and a group home, all of which have declined further care as they are not set up to handle his 24/7 care needs.

Jim’s devoted daughter, Wendy, has given up her life in NY to be his primary caregiver for the last 3 years and has exhausted her life savings of over $180,000 to that end. Other friends and family members have helped but not nearly enough.

His only income is about $3,000/month in social security and $2,500/month in veterans’ benefits (he served in the U.S. Health Service) that have been applied for but not yet granted. Jim owns absolutely nothing and is in debt. Jim’s required 24/7 care requires about $19,000/month just in outside caregiver costs (with Wendy working for free), not including rent, utilities, food, health insurance, medicines, and other normal living expenses.

If you have benefited from Jim’s kindness over the years or just have compassion for this dire situation, please consider donating. If this doesn’t work, the next move is to a state facility (roommate, not clean, bad food, more misery).

Thank you for considering this heartfelt request. May God bless you.

PLEASE NOTE: We are trying to provide daily updates. Some of the pictures are graphic and sensitive in nature.