As a long-time friend of the Byram family (as SO many of you are as well), I want to do everything I possibly can (as many of you have also sincerely expressed) to offer my support and assistance during this critical time for their son, Desmond Byram. Sunday evening, June 19, 2022, Desi had a stroke at home in Costa Rica. It has left him paralyzed on the right side of his body and unable to speak. Desi is presently receiving medical treatment and is at the very beginning of his rehabilitation care and therapy to determine how much improvement he will be capable of during his recovery. He is also receiving treatment and having medical procedures for a current heart condition that needs to be addressed. Desi has a very long road ahead of him that will have to be taken one day at a time. Thus his wonderful and loving family will also have a very trying and long road ahead of them as they navigate his care to see what the future will hold and many expenses will be incurred. Desmond will not have the ability to hold employment for the foreseeable future and has his own living expenses & bills and his parents will also be experiencing a loss of income as his mother Rhonda will be his primary daily caretaker. There have already been many large expenses for the travel of his parents to get to Costa Rica, for their current & continued future lodging there. Just in general as this has been difficult as it occured so far from home with a required 4 hour plane ride away.

 

This will continue for some time as his mother Rhonda will possibly need to reside there with Desi for several months to a year, during his rehab & therapy in hopes that he can return to Florida when he is stable enough to do so. He will have the need for ongoing medical expenses and care that will not all necessarily be covered by his insurance, the large costs associated with his delicate travel home to Florida eventually and the renovations to the Byram home to create a wheelchair accessible environment for Desi to live in. This is subject to change (as it has daily) will as of now be travel required back and forth to Costa Rica. The list goes on. There have been so many wonderful and loving family & friends who have jumped in to be there for them in the best way they know how by providing loving care, friendship, and prayers. They have been incredibly grateful for that along with the experiencing the absolutely wonderful Christian brotherhood from the brothers and sisters who know and love Desi in Costa Rica. This has been a such a gift.

 

The reality is... they are going to need our help. They will have some very real financial strains which adds additional stress & emotional energy on top of the concern and care they will want and need to give to Desi at this time. The truth is.. they would never ask for the help themselves. Even though they are usually the first to step up and give to others, they would never take it upon themselves to ask for assistance and that is why we wanted to put this link and fundraiser together. So many people have reached out to the Byram family to ask if there is anything in the world they can do, please let us know. This is one way that I know can be a huge help to Desmond and the Byram family and take just some stress off of them while they focus on Desi and his recovery and care.

 

If you know Desmond.... then you love Desmond! I can say that I've never known another person who knows SO many people and has SO many friends wherever  he goes! He is always so kind and encouraging to those around him and brings a smile and laughter wherever he goes.  He will need a little of our extra love and help right now.  If you know any of his family members... then you love them too! As many 0f you know, the Byram’s are a special family who have always gone out of their way to be kind-hearted, giving and loving friends to others. For anyone that would like to contribute, anything would be helpful and will go a long way.. ‘for many hands makes the load light!’ For anyone that does not want to donate or simply not able to contribute monetarily at this time, that is also OK!  Your friendship, loving concern, help in other ways and your prayers will be and have been, so genuinely appreciated and treasured. Thank you! Kelli Patton