Team Richard

Richard, my brother and a Vietnam veteran, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1989.  Since then, he has fought the progressive nature of this debilitating neurological disease with dogged determination, not willing to “give in” to the inevitable weaknesses until absolutely necessary.  However, when required, he learned to rely on a cane, then a walker, and finally a battery-operated scooter.  His car and RV were modified with hand brakes and acceleration controls so that he could continue to drive himself to work until retiring in 2011, travel to the Outer Banks for family reunions, and take camping vacations with his wife, Ruth.   He refused to allow the MS to take over his life.

Now, however, that way of life has stopped.  Richard’s inability to walk or stand caused sores to form over time, and by October 2014, these septic, bone-deep wounds required major surgery.   Then, complications set in.  He “coded” once during surgery and again a week later.  Subsequent tests revealed four blocked arteries for which doctors recommended quadruple bypass surgery, but the additional discovery of an abdominal aorta aneurysm negated the heart operation.   Instead, two of the blocked arteries received stents in November 2014.

After a short stay in a rehabilitation/nursing facility, Richard learned that his health insurance would no longer pay for nursing home care, so Ruth brought him home in January 2015.  She transformed their office into a new bedroom for him; arranged for deliveries of a hospital bed, Hoya lift, and a high tech wheelchair; and organized nursing care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy visits.  As he was - and still is - essentially bedridden, she became his primary care provider, administering his meds and tending to his every need. Ruth is the exemplar for “on-the-job-training.”  She is a steady rock of hands-on support and emotional encouragement, and our family is extraordinarily fortunate to witness her sacrifice for and devotion to my brother.

Through all of these setbacks, Richard has been a source of constant inspiration for all who know him:  never giving up, never complaining, always fighting to push through the next obstacle.  With his wound almost healed and his heart and aneurysm issues under control, he works very, very hard to sit up in his wheelchair for longer and longer periods of time.  In 2016, he hopes to ride as a passenger in a car once again.

My goal is to help defray the cost of purchasing a wheelchair-accessible van that would allow him to visit his married children, attend his grandchildren’s sporting events, eliminate the need for expensive ambulance charges for his frequent doctors’ visits, and just take a ride to see fall colors and spring flowers.   Although he will never drive again, he is able to use his motorized wheelchair in his home, and it is a simple “step” from the home to an appropriately modified van.  We yearn for the day when he can visit his extended family in their own homes and join their celebrations once again.  Richard’s indomitable spirit and Ruth’s loving commitment will make it happen, one way or another!

 I hope you will consider joining Team Richard.  I am dedicating my WomansTour April 19-June10 cycling journey from Ft. Lauderdale to Bar Harbor to my brother and his vision of becoming un-housebound.  (If interested, you can follow my trip on http://www.fromBarbsBars.com/index.html).  Thank you for any support you can offer!
                                              Richard and Ruth's family