Rev Bruce Merritt Medical Fund

My father is Rev. Bruce K. Merritt and he has been a faithful pastor of the United Methodist Church for over 30 years. On August 12, 2017, he went on vacation to NC and fell down the beach house steps. He went to the nearest hospital who said he had 7 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a broken shoulder. They sent him home a few days later. He suffered at the beach house until he made a horribly painful journey to my house in Virginia. His conditioned started to worsen to the point that he could not use his legs. He went by ambulance to memorial regional hospital where he was immediately sent to VCU hospital in Richmond. They found he had actually broken his back and had a hematoma that somehow the first hospital overlooked. Now the vertebrae were dislocated and also he had paralysis of his lower body. Less than 12 hours at VCU, he had emergency back surgery where they drained fluid from his lung, put rods/pins/plates in his back, removed some spinal bone, and drained a hematoma off his spine. He is now facing several days in the hospital followed by a week or two at rehab and then physical therapy. We are hoping the paralysis isn't permanent but it may be which will cause him to have to buy a handicapped accessible house, probably retire early, and face many other financial struggles. He has touched many people's lives while in the ministry and been with them during some tough times. I ask that you all stand with him in his time of need and support him with what you can. We would appreciate any monetary donations but please also give him emotional, spiritual, and home support as well. Please also think of my mother, Glenda, who is going through this as well. She also has health issues and will be Bruce's main care giver. Thank you for all the love, friendship, support, and kindness you have already expressed. Sincerely, Andrew Merritt