<div>Wednesday November 22, 2023 UPDATE - a note from Karen, Scott's wife
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<div>It has been almost a year since Scotts catastrophic health event. There are always blessings that come out of challenges. But the challenges of long term care for a loved one are overwhelming.
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<div>Today I'd like to share some very  personal issues and hope they bring some clarity to our situation. 
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<div>Here is the back story:
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<div>Six months after our twins/youngest children graduated from university, Scott was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer resulting in a full Ostomy.  After weeks/months of painful radiation and grueling chemotherapy he got to the other side. Because Scott  was self-employed and had never been sick a day in his life we opted prior to that time to the most minimal health insurance coverage with poor coverage and very high deductibles. With Scott out of work the better part of a year we lost our home 2 yrs later to foreclosure.
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<div>We were able to find an apartment close to our home and began to rebuild our savings and Scott's health. Things were looking up but covid hit and the next  few years became challenging for a salesman depending in nonexistent trade shows for his livelihood.
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<div>Finally in December 2022 Scott caught a break and got a ticket to the promotional products show in Vegas for January 2023. But at 5:30pm December 31, 2022 Scott suffered a stroke.
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<div>Almost a year has passed. Scott is stable and requires a lot of follow up. His therapy has ceased and his care is custodial. 
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<div>Due to significant financial struggle, we did not have long term health insurance or a home and savings to leverage I gad to file for Medicare so Scott could receive proper care/meals/medical supervision and protect a minimal amount of social security to help me out as “impoverished spouse”. 
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<div>Private nursing home costs would  be $500/day and therapy is $50/15 min.
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<div>Private  home care (24hr/day) for Scott would run $300/day and we would remain totally responsible without government assistance.
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<div>So I am asking one more time for any help anyone can contribute. Please be assured we are grateful every day for those of you we know and dont know who have been so generous and helped us make it through year one!
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<div>The only way this GoFundMe works is to get the word out! Please share the  story and the link in your social media circles/Organizations/religious circle/not for profits.
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<div>Please help us get the word out to as many people as possible and helpScott have his best life possible. 
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<div>April 20, 2023 Update:
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<div>PLEASE SHARE - Our dad is reaching the end of his outpatient rehab and requires skilled care before he can safely return home and resume outpatient intensive therapy.
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<div>During his extensive time spent in the ICU, he acquired a fungal blood infection that has brought additional complexity to his journey to recovery. As a result of contracting this, he has been denied admission to 75 facilities within a 60 mile radius. The only safe option for him would be to go ho’w with 2 around the clock skilled caregivers until he is more steady with transfers. He is improving. The trache is out and he is doing very well in this aspect and we would like to do everything we can to protect him and support him on his road to recovery. We appreciate your time and consideration here, if you can please help him in any way, we would be beyond grateful. To everyone near and far who has contributed, who has shared we thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. Dad needs with this last stage of care so he can safely be home with our Mom and enjoy his time with us kids and grandkids ♥️ Our continuing appreciation and gratitude for all who have kindly helped our family. We love you Dad, so very much.
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<div>Our treasured friend and Promo Industry veteran Scott Wood needs our help. Scott suffered a significant stroke and subsequent brain bleed on New Year's Eve and has been on a difficult road since. While there have been some positive advancements, he has had multiple surgical procedures and several complications throughout his nearly two months, predominantly in the ICU as he remains in critical condition. Pneumonia and now a fungal blood infection are further hampering his recovery. The goal, through continued treatment in the ICU is to get him moved from the hospital and return to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab for rehabilitation. He’s not there yet, but we have nothing but positive thoughts that each day we’ll get closer to that goal. Many of us know Scott through his 30+ plus years in the the Promo Industry. Always smiling and more than willing to lend a hand by sharing his vast knowledge of the industry. Scott has mentored many of today’s successful sales professionals. He knows thousands of promo pros throughout the nation and Midwest, where he and Karen raised their family in Chicago.
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<div>It’s time for us to step up and show his family how much we care. First, our prayers for comfort and healing are very important and much appreciated. Second, we need to help the family financially. We all know that insurance only goes so far. Scott’s earnings have ceased. Karen is spending all hours of the day by his side. With mounting medical bills, approaching rehab and daily living expenses, the need for our help is considerable. We need your help in asking that you prayerfully consider how you can make an impact on the family and our friend Scott’s well-being and recovery.
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<div><strong>Below is a statement from Scott’s family:</strong>
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<div>“Anyone who has met Scott (Dad) knows how hard it is to forget him. The most infectious smile, easy-going and approachable nature, and contagious laugh that you simply can’t help but smile and laugh along with—Dad would never miss the chance to make someone else’s day—even just for a second. Scott is the most kind-hearted and selfless person who would quite literally give the shirt off his back if it was the last shirt he had, just for the opportunity to help someone else in need. He is a man who has more friends and colleagues than most due to his unyielding passion for connection and an opportunity to be there for someone else. He has made friends quite literally, wherever he goes, always willing to lend an ear without judgement and offer any words of empathy. His connection is always sincere and genuine. While his time in need is now, we know he would much prefer to be out there working and selling and connecting with old friends and finding new prospects. If he read this statement, without knowing it was about him, we are certain we would all be hearing a response like “Oh Wooooooow” grinning with a smile from ear to ear and would say something along the lines of “that sounds like someone I’d like to meet”. This is the biggest struggle of Scott’s life. While presented with the challenges of a sudden catastrophic health event, he has been resilient and remained positive despite the numerous challenges and complications thrown at him by spending over two months in a hospital in mostly the ICU where the risks of contracting hospital “illnesses” reside. Mom and Lindsey have been by his bedside for 8-10 hrs daily, Casey has flown in multiple times and artwork and cards from his girls decorate the room. Tobey has been there multiple times despite having a newborn at home. His daily FaceTime calls are a high point in Scott’s day We are all doing our best to advocate and encourage him. He is Scott when he graciously holds the nurses and doctors hands to say thank you, but not to forget the occasional well-deserved eye roll and finger when someone asks a dumb question. His sense of humor remains intact. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. We don’t know what we would ever do without him. He is the glue to our family. We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support and love for Scott/Dad as he fights to recover. We are hopeful and firmly believe that Dad is giving everything in him to fight through all of these challenges and will see the other side of this battle for himself, his family, his dear friends, his associates and the friends he has yet to meet.
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<div>With all of our love and gratitude.
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<div>Karen, Casey, Lindsey, Tobey &amp; Indie”
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Joy Alfonsi

Dorna Kightlinger

Arthur Anton

Valerie Hewitt (Kawaguchi)

Debra Abelson

Annie Safoian

Anonymous

CHIBUZO OBI

Darius Najafi

Tanay Buddhdev

Joseph Cronin

Bill Reid

David Suveges

Michelle Sexton

Kamiya Sargoch

Please help with Scott Wood's Stroke Recovery!

Please help with Scott Wood's Stroke Recovery!

Still $18,019 to go. Help us build momentum.