Tom Denig Medical Fundraiser

I am the nephew of Tom Denig.    I am trying to help my uncle raise money to get a handicap platform and stair lift installed at Tom’s house while he is in Wedgewood Rehabilitation Center.     Due to terrible infections from Diabetes, Tom recently had to have both of his legs amputated, one at the hip and one above the knee.   His physical therapy is going well, and he is gaining his strength back in his upper body and will soon be able to be released if his home passes inspection. In order for my Uncle Tommy to be able to come home, we have a lot of work to do.      We are trying to secure an indoor power chair that is slim so it can make it through his hallways and narrow doorways.   We also need to have a platform built and his front door widened so he can get in and out of the house. We have already purchased a Stair Lift which will be installed from the top of the platform and allow him to be lowered to the ground, but it still needs to be installed by a professional. Your contribution will go directly to Tom for these expenses, which he can not afford.  I am asking on Tom’s behalf and his children if you could please help and make a donation. The current list of home modifications we are hoping to be able to accomplish are: Build 6x6 platform/deck off his front door with 3-4 steps down to his driveway. Widen his front door by replacing the existing door with a sliding glass door so he can easily get in and out. Purchase or lease an powered slim chair called the “Jazzy 2 Lift Power Wheelchair” (Only 22inches wide) Have the Stair Lift professionally installed for safety Replace current bath tub with a roll in shower. Here are the ways you can make a donation: Send money via paypal directly to Tom Denig via email:   [email redacted] Send a check to:   Tom Denig 1425 Ritter Road, Lot 20, Lakeland Florida 33810 Send via Venmo to Tom Denig via his email address:    [email redacted] Thank you all in advance for any contribution you can make during these times.    Tom’s daughter wrote the following which includes more details on everything Tom has been going through. “As many of you know this has been an incredible change of events for our dad. So much has happened to even begin to explain so here is a summary of events to the best of my recollection from start to present day. Last year what was thought to be a pulled muscle that led to debilitating pain ended up being stage 4 kidney cancer that had spread to and fractured dad’s pelvis and femur. He had already lost his ability to walk because the pain was crippling. The doctors all seemed to have different answers or no answers. This diagnosis was the shock of a lifetime. Confusion, tears and fears came rushing in and the reality overwhelmed us all, most of all him. Mr. Fix it and care taker to others with a heart of gold, was now dependent on everyone around him for functional support, basic tasks and self care were now very challenging and some days impossible due to weakness, and you can imagine the hit to his dignity and self-esteem.  After surviving 3 procedures in 2 days! He began the journey with cancer treatments and physical therapy trying to regain any kind of normalcy that had been lost. Going home after 6 weeks in the hospital was scary and new without the many caregivers as he had in hospital, wounds became and issue and pain, appetite and infections were other challenges. Finally, the wounds became so extreme in addition to his other health conditions the only option to save his life was amputation of both legs. Yet again another unimaginable shock and now where to go? Life will never be the same, every turn is new and uncertain. If not for dad’s strong faith and fighting spirit which we have all had to lean on, I do not know how he would have made it this far. But here we are, and now there are challenges to get him functional so he can go home, he needs a way to safely get inside the house and the stairs are an issue but he also needs to be able to do a lot of moving and transferring himself once home. Patrick has been amazing at stepping in with his knowledge and investigating some options and coordinating to call on anyone who may be able to help with the financial situation to make coming home possible for Tom. Everyone in some way no doubt has been impacted by this corona pandemic but if anyone can contribute anything to help get things in place for dad to return home safely it would be appreciated beyond measure and beyond words. God Bless you all and stay safe.”