Support the Skipworths Through A Medical Emergency

Hello! My name is Emma Snodgrass, and I am raising funds for dear family friends who are invaluable members of the classical music community of the Pacific Northwest, George and Barbara Skipworth. George Skipworth is a noted classical pianist, singer and conductor. His partner in life, love, and work, Barbara Skipworth, is a remarkable soprano. George and Barbara have toured together as singer and pianist in the United States and Europe. Both are incredible artists, teachers and friends. They were my Dad's best friends and helped train my brother and me classically.

On Thursday, October 20, while in San Felipe, Mexico, George Skipworth suffered a stroke, losing his balance and experiencing extreme difficulty walking on his right leg. George was transported via ambulance to the Red Cross Hospital, where he was initially assessed and then transported again for more than two hours to the border. George was then transferred into an American ambulance and taken to El Centro Regional Hospital, where he spent the night of October 21st in Intensive Care. The following day George was airlifted by a REACH helicopter to Loma Linda University Medical Center, a first-class teaching hospital (not by their choice, though he has received excellent care there). At Loma Linda, George was assessed as having lost most control of the right side of his body. On Monday, October 31, he had an operation on his left carotid artery. He was in the hospital for two weeks, either in ICU or in regular care. He has now spent weeks in the Loma Linda Acute Rehabilitation Center, receiving daily physical therapy. He's needed many medications for his recovery: blood pressure medication, blood thinners, and anti-clotting meds, among others. He is still dealing with general weakness and fatigue, and his physician recommends a second operation on his right carotid artery, which is now scheduled for January 11 in the new year.

George does have Medicare insurance, but it is unclear what parts of his emergency care, transportation and rehabilitation will be covered by insurance. As of Monday, November 28, George is still in the rehabilitation facility at Loma Linda.

There is no price on the preciousness of life and well-being, and every single step of George's care and the excellence of his care has been critical. The last thing that George and Barbara should have to worry about is the cost of George's essential medical attention. Barbara has spent many nights at Airbnbs and is now renting a room short term close by the hospital. They are absorbing all the other expenses of being far away from home while also coping with the emotional stress and burden that such a shock has on daily life.

All funds are being collected by Ina Angelika Wester-Krieg, Barbara's sister, and will go directly to Barbara and George to help them recuperate the immediate costs of having their life upturned by this medical emergency.

Please consider donating to support these incredible people! And please share with your networks!

With Care,

Emma Snodgrass