John’s Road to Recovery

If you know John and Adrienne, you know that they are the first to offer help and the last to ask for it, but they could use our support right now. On Thursday, January 26th, John was involved in an incident while reffing and coaching a 12u vs 14u practice hockey scrimmage. With only three minutes left in the game, he was hit directly in the eye by a fast-flying puck, resulting in a laceration, multiple serious soft tissue injuries to the eye itself as well as an orbital fracture. This kind of injury is rare and complex with many unknowns about the long-term damage and what the road to recovery ultimately will be. John and Adrienne do have (high deductible) health insurance but with so many complex injuries to the eye, it is clear that the medical journey is going to be long and expensive. The loss of income to their family, while John is recovering and unable to work will be significant, but here is where we can help. I know I am not alone in having benefited from the Schaefer’s generosity of time and energy over the years and now is a chance to support them when they really need it. Relieving some of the immediate financial stress will go a long way to allowing them to focus on healing and making the best choices for care and recovery. Any amount is deeply appreciated; many hands make light work, as they say. Let’s show them the love.

We will post updates about John’s progress here as we get them. Right now, they are seeing an ophthalmologist, a retina specialist and later this week they will head to UW Harborview to see the oculoplastic surgeon for the orbital fracture. Feel free to send messages of love and support here and we will make sure that John sees them, with his good eye.