Shirley's story

My name is Gary Witt and I decided to create this fund on behalf of my sister, Shirley, who suffers from Cavernous Hemangiomas of the brain. This is a fancy word for growths/twisted blood vessels on the brain that can rupture and bleed at any time.  Initial tests show that she has twenty-seven of them.  This began for Shirley in 2006 and since then she has required three brain surgeries the last one being a few weeks ago in the brain stem area which controls function including respirations.  Each time this happens she sustains some permanent damage and has to go through various forms of therapy, such as re-training her eyes to focus.  she is currently unable to walk without a walker and even if she improves, she will need a cane.  She is only 62 years old, is amazingly strong and resilient and takes a great deal of pride in being an independent woman who can handle pretty much anything that comes her way.  Shirley is not a wealthy person but was able to support herself by working a job that she enjoyed and had benefits prior to 2006.  She is now considered disabled and was put on disability which is not enough income to even cover minimal monthly expenses.  I just recently found out that she is still making monthly payments on medical bills from her last surgery in 2015 and there will more to come from the most recent surgery.  In addition, future brain bleeds are a strong possibility with more medical bills and more rehab.  The northern winters can be very harsh and shoveling snow just to get in and out of the house is more than she can handle most days.  Her hope is to move to a maintenance free apartment if she could make a dent in the mounting medical expense.  She would be so much better off physically and mentally.  Always worrying about finances and making ends meet is not conducive to a person's recovery.  Shirley is a wonderful person and our family appreciates any donation, no amount is too small.