FUNDRAISER INSPIRATION: My stepdad Ken has been in the ICU since March 9th. He went in with a staph infection, completely unrelated to COVID-19. His family was able to visit him and he was on his way home after a few short weeks there. However, on his way out, he ended up back in the ICU. Turns out he contracted Covid while at the hospital. Shortly after that, the hospitals went on lockdown and no visitors are allowed. It has been VERY difficult for Ken (and all the other patients), which makes recovery even more challenging. Many patients end up depressed due to the isolation, which makes recovery harder. It makes life unbearable for the families who cant be there to support them.
About a week ago, my mom & I brought him an iPad so that we could video chat with him whenever he wanted and he didn’t feel alone anymore. I can’t even explain the difference it made! He not only smiled more, but his HEALTH progressed by leaps and bounds. At first he was intubated and couldn’t speak but we could speak to him and he could hear us and blink back. Now we stay connected with him 12-18 hours a day!
The mission of this fundraiser is to provide as many “KITS” as possible to other ICU patients. The hardest part before Ken the ability to video chat whenever he wanted, was not knowing what was happening with him! Yes, we called and checked in with his nurses, but that quick 5 min phone call only holds you over temporarily. It also frees up the nurses that currently have to hunt down the 1 shared tablet and get them set up up on video chat and stand there and hold the tablet for a five minute chat. Together tablets allow unlimited communications.
A complete kit is $225.00 but we are happy with whatever you can afford.
Kit Contents:
•Fire Tablet
•Spider tablet stand (hands free for patients)
•Tablet case
•Extension cord for charging (outlets are limited near the beds)
•Headphones (ventilators are loud)