On Wednesday, February 11, my son-in-law Damien Burnsed thought he was having a stroke and rushed to the emergency room. After several tests, doctors discovered that multiple compressed vertebrae’s were pressing on his spine, and he was taken into emergency surgery for a spinal fusion, in Thursday. Damien was released home the next day, which felt too soon, and by Saturday morning, he was struggling to swallow and breathe. Before he could make it back to the ER, his condition worsened, and he was rushed in, intubated, and sent straight into another surgery. Doctors found a large amount of blood around his esophagus and had to perform an exploratory procedure, placing a drain tube and putting Damien on a ventilator in the ICU.

After a few days, the breathing tube was removed, but Damien began experiencing memory loss—he couldn't remember the previous day, the people he saw, or even the doctors treating him. He also started having neurological issues with his legs, and it's still unclear if this is from being bedridden or something more serious. While Damien will eventually receive short- and long-term disability, it will take time to start, and it won't cover all their needs. My daughter Kimberly, has been by his side at the hospital, however she’s recently lost her job. Their family is especially vulnerable right now—their grandbaby was just born the Sunday before all of this happened, and they have four daughters as well. This young family needs a village to rally around them.

The funds raised will help cover their house payment, utilities, groceries, and monthly bills while Damien recovers and they wait for disability benefits to begin. Damien is such a good man who has always provided for his family and helped others, but he would never ask for help himself. I'm taking on that burden for him, hoping that a little support from our community will give them relief and allow them to focus on healing instead of worrying. Any help you can give—whether it's a donation or sharing this fundraiser—means the world to us. Thank you for being part of our village.