Rev Darlene James' Road to Recovery
Donation protected
Our beloved Rev. Darlene James suffered a massive stroke on March 3, 2017. The swelling on her brain was so bad that a day later the brain surgeon told Brother Benjamin, "if I don't operate and remove her skull, you WILL be planning a funeral." Shaken by this news Bro. Ben agreed. It was a life-saving decision.
Since then, Rev. Darlene has had two additional brain surgeries and other procedures. She had a respirator breathing for her, a feeding tube for nourishment, was unable to talk, and was completely immobilized relying on others for all of her personal care. Now she is breathing on her own for longer stretches of time, swallowing, writing, talking, and yes, even joking! But she still has a long way to go. She remains paralyzed on her left side, and can eat only small quantities of soft foods.
Currently, Rev. Darlene and Brother James spend $5,000 a month for her to be at George Assisted Living in Fort Washington, Maryland. This rent does not include any other costs such as medical transport for Rev. James to and from doctor's visits.
The good news is that the doctors say Rev. Darlene is on the road to recovery and in due time will be at a place where she will be able to continue her care at home. This means that they will have to shift resources from George to the various care providers for her needs to be met at home. A conservative estimate of $15,000 is needed to pay for three months at George, while the James' use their current funds to pay for necessary care services, home retrofitting and/or remodeling, and medical equipment in preparation for her return home.
Rev. Darlene cannot go home until the circumstances there are adequate for her care. That means she must have 24-hour trained medical care to clean her trache, manage her stomach tube (which provides the bulk of her nutrients), prepare her special diet, take care of her hygiene needs, administer her medication, and conduct respiratory and physical therapy. The sooner all the preparations are made, the sooner Rev. James can go home.
As Rev. Darlene said on one of my earlier visits, "I would think of seniors and others who become disabled and can't do for themselves anymore, but I had no idea. And I think of people I know who have other disabilities and they carry on - and I say, 'Who am I to say I can't do this?'....but, it's a journey." Indeed it is. But our God is ABLE!
Won't you help Rev. Darlene and Brother Ben on this journey to recovery that they are walking together? Think of what Rev. Darlene means to you in your life, your education, your ministry. Our teacher, mentor and friend fights on, but she needs our help. Please donate today. ANY and EVERY amount helps.
God bless you for your generosity!!
Here is how you can help:
* SHARE this page.
* CLICK "donate" above and give via this site.
* DEPOSIT funds payable to Rev Darlene J. James at any BB&T Bank. All you need is her name and they will do the rest.
* EMAIL me for info on how you can mail checks to the James' home.
PLEASE email me if you make "off-line" donations so it can be counted towards the campaign goal.
----
Note: All funds go directly to Darlene and Ben James. This page is managed by their friend, Aisha C. Johnson.
Since then, Rev. Darlene has had two additional brain surgeries and other procedures. She had a respirator breathing for her, a feeding tube for nourishment, was unable to talk, and was completely immobilized relying on others for all of her personal care. Now she is breathing on her own for longer stretches of time, swallowing, writing, talking, and yes, even joking! But she still has a long way to go. She remains paralyzed on her left side, and can eat only small quantities of soft foods.
Currently, Rev. Darlene and Brother James spend $5,000 a month for her to be at George Assisted Living in Fort Washington, Maryland. This rent does not include any other costs such as medical transport for Rev. James to and from doctor's visits.
The good news is that the doctors say Rev. Darlene is on the road to recovery and in due time will be at a place where she will be able to continue her care at home. This means that they will have to shift resources from George to the various care providers for her needs to be met at home. A conservative estimate of $15,000 is needed to pay for three months at George, while the James' use their current funds to pay for necessary care services, home retrofitting and/or remodeling, and medical equipment in preparation for her return home.
Rev. Darlene cannot go home until the circumstances there are adequate for her care. That means she must have 24-hour trained medical care to clean her trache, manage her stomach tube (which provides the bulk of her nutrients), prepare her special diet, take care of her hygiene needs, administer her medication, and conduct respiratory and physical therapy. The sooner all the preparations are made, the sooner Rev. James can go home.
As Rev. Darlene said on one of my earlier visits, "I would think of seniors and others who become disabled and can't do for themselves anymore, but I had no idea. And I think of people I know who have other disabilities and they carry on - and I say, 'Who am I to say I can't do this?'....but, it's a journey." Indeed it is. But our God is ABLE!
Won't you help Rev. Darlene and Brother Ben on this journey to recovery that they are walking together? Think of what Rev. Darlene means to you in your life, your education, your ministry. Our teacher, mentor and friend fights on, but she needs our help. Please donate today. ANY and EVERY amount helps.
God bless you for your generosity!!
Here is how you can help:
* SHARE this page.
* CLICK "donate" above and give via this site.
* DEPOSIT funds payable to Rev Darlene J. James at any BB&T Bank. All you need is her name and they will do the rest.
* EMAIL me for info on how you can mail checks to the James' home.
PLEASE email me if you make "off-line" donations so it can be counted towards the campaign goal.
----
Note: All funds go directly to Darlene and Ben James. This page is managed by their friend, Aisha C. Johnson.
Organizer and beneficiary
Aisha Clarke Johnson
Organizer
Ft. Washington, MD
Darlene James
Beneficiary
