<div><strong>Help Sean Sullivan Recover After His Stroke</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Sean underwent heart valve replacement surgery at Mass General Hospital in Boston. His heart condition was discovered during a consultation for knee surgery, which he also needs. The heart surgery itself was successful, however, two days after he surgery, when he was being transferred out of ICU he suffered a major stroke. Soon after, doctors also determined he was experiencing atrial fibrillation, which required an external pacemaker. Doing another surgery to put in a traditional pacemaker was deemed too risky. He now has a telemetry monitor which is an external device that he carries with him.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Sean spent 35 days in the hospital as doctors worked to manage the complications from his heart surgery and stroke. On Tuesday, September 2, once he was stable enough, he was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation in Cambridge, MA. There, he has begun the long journey of recovery through occupational, speech, and physical therapy. Although the family had hoped to find a rehab bed in Vermont, so he could be closer to home, no facility in the state was able to meet all of his medical needs.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>About Sean</strong>
</div>
<div>Sean is 59 years old and works as an Associate Director of Environmental Health &amp; Safety at RTX. He is a proud father to two sons, George and Brendan. Sean is known in his hometown of Vergennes, Vermont as an active and dedicated community member. He has been a champion of the growth and development of the local area, always speaking up as a concerned and thoughtful citizen. He also manages his family’s land on Dead Creek as a conservationist and is a proud supporter of both Lake Champlain and the Otter Creek River.
</div>
<div>When he isn’t working or volunteering, Sean loves fishing and duck hunting and is a passionate Boston sports fan, cheering on the Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots, and Boston College football.
</div>
<div>Sean has always been the rock of his family — the person they count on to stay on task, to care for them, and to lead with steady hands and a strong heart.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>His Current Condition</strong>
</div>
<div>Today, Sean is in rehabilitation with:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Very limited mobility
</li>
<li>Some but intermittent verbal capacity
</li>
<li>Memory challenges and amnesia
</li>
</ul>
<div>Despite these obstacles, Sean has begun showing effort in his therapies. The doctors are optimistic that with time, hard work and dedication, Sean will have a good recovery, but it could take years.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Why We’re Raising Funds</strong>
</div>
<div>The costs associated with Sean’s recovery are significant. Even with insurance, the family faces an estimated $12,000 per month of out-of-pocket expenses to cover:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Rehabilitation and medical care not fully covered by insurance
</li>
<li>His home needs to be adapted to be handicap accessible
</li>
<li>He will need ongoing home care
</li>
<li>Travel and lodging costs for family members supporting Sean in Cambridge
</li>
<li>Lost wages while Sean is unable to work
</li>
<li>Daily living needs during this long recovery
</li>
</ul>
<div>All funds raised will be deposited directly into Sean’s bank account. His sister, Martha Sullivan DeGraaf, holds power of attorney and will carefully manage expenses on Sean’s behalf.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Our total need is $150,000 to cover Sean’s rehabilitation, travel, and lost wages. GoFundMe recommends starting with smaller milestones so supporters can see progress faster and help build momentum. That’s why you’ll see the first goal at $45,000, but please know our true need is much larger, and every gift brings us closer to the full $150,000.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Sean has been there for his family, friends, and community for decades. He has been a rock-solid friend since childhood and a tireless advocate for the place he calls home.
</div>
<div>Now it’s our turn to rally for him. Many of us have known Sean as a loyal friend, a caring father, and a steady leader. Today, Sean and his family need us more than ever.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Donate what you can — every gift, large or small, makes a difference.
</li>
<li>Share this fundraiser with your networks, on social media, and in your community.
</li>
<li>Offer words of encouragement, they lift Sean and his family on difficult days.
</li>
<li>If you prefer to donate by check, please make it out to Sean Sullivan and mail it to Martha DeGraaf at: 2712 Panton Road Panton VT 05491
</li>
<li>Send him letter and notes of encouragement
</li>
</ul>
<div>The mailing address is
</div>
<div>Sean Sullivan, Room 205
</div>
<div>Spaulding Hospital
</div>
<div>Cambridge Rehab Acute Care
</div>
<div>1575 Cambridge Street
</div>
<div>Cambridge MA 02138
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>On behalf of Sean, his family, and his many friends, thank you for standing with him. Together, we can help Sean fight through this chapter and return to the life, the family, and the community he loves so deeply.
</div>

Douglas Richardson

Donna Ebel

Terry Pelletier

Ben Lewis

Tanya Yost

Tom Hauber

Nicola Bieber

Elda Dhandili

Jay Asikainen

Mark & Cyndy Skripol

James Shevlin

Lou Branca

Shelly Young

Malinda Farrin

Thomas Phillips

Amy DeHart

Anonymous

Seng Tiong Ang

Rebecca Bouchard

Support Sean Sullivan's Stroke Recovery Journey

Support Sean Sullivan's Stroke Recovery Journey

Still $32,369 to go. Help us build momentum.