Help Barb with medical expenses

Hi, my name is Amy Vogel and I am posting this GoFundMe along with my cousins Sara and Johnny for my loving aunt, Barb Clauson. Barb needs help with exasperating and ongoing medical bills from her recent brain injury.

Many of you know and love Barb from Calvary Church, as she has been on staff for over 30 years and deeply involved in this community. Barb is a kind, giving, and faithful servant of the Lord having raised two children as a single mother working numerous jobs to support her family and carve out a life as a strong independent woman. At the ripe age of 75, after a life of hard work and determination, Barb is nearing retirement, yet still working part time at Calvary to make ends meet.

On December 20, 2022 Barb had a massive brain bleed caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangle of blood vessels that connects arteries and veins in the brain. Nearly escaping the clutches of death, Barb underwent a 6 hour emergency brain surgery followed up a few days later by a 8 hour brain surgery to remove the AVM. After these surgeries, numerous MRIs, CT scans, angioscopes, and 12 days in ICU Barb was stable and able to transfer to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation.

After 6 weeks at Mary Free Bed, Barb is now being pushed out the door as insurance will not cover her stay any longer. She has been denied care at various sub acute rehab centers and assisted living homes due to the severity of her case. She is now coming home where she will receive very expensive home health care that is not covered by insurance.

Barb has come a long way in her rehabilitation but has a very long way to go as her brain bleed has caused extensive damage to her cerebellum resulting in vertigo, dizziness and nausea that has greatly slowed her recovery. She is still learning to walk and talk and feed herself but is in need of 24/7 care for some time still.

Aside from the daunting physical challenges before her, she is also facing a large amount of medical debt plus ongoing medical expenses she is paying out of pocket to survive. Barb is a trooper, she is strong and determined, working very hard and overcoming so much. Please help as we try to at least reduce some of the financial hardship that is looming and imminent.

Barb is thankful for this community, it’s life, love and ongoing support. If you are unable to give financially, please say a prayer and send some positive vibrations her way. Thanks!