Nancy Steinitz, my aunt, has always been a strong and independent person. Last August, she suffered a serious fall in her home that left her ankle and leg broken in three places. During her treatment, doctors also discovered a severe infection in her other leg, which nearly led to amputation. Thankfully, both the injuries and the infection have been successfully treated and healed, though the journey has been anything but easy. Complications along the way slowed her recovery, but Nancy’s determination and the support of friends and family have helped her overcome each obstacle.

Now, Nancy is working hard in physical therapy to regain her full range of motion, the ability to walk independently, and ultimately, to live on her own again. The progress she’s made is inspiring, but the road to recovery has been long—and expensive. The costs of continued rehabilitation therapy, medical bills, copays, ambulance and transport charges, and necessary home modifications for safety have added up quickly. As a retiree on a fixed income, these expenses are overwhelming, and insurance does not cover everything she needs to make a full recovery.

To all my family, friends, Aunt Nancy's friends, and anyone else: we are generally not a family to ask for money, and this is my first-ever crowdfunding action for any reason. My aunt is my closest blood relative next to my children, and I have helped where I can throughout her ordeal and with home repairs, but it will not be enough to cover all the costs of her recovery. We thank you and deeply appreciate you all for what you can do to help us in this fundraising campaign. Love to all, Richard Vehlow, on behalf of my aunt Nancy Steinitz