Dear Friends of Tomye Neal-Madison and lovers of great art,

I am Cordell Sloan, and alongside my wife, Lonnie Moseley, we stand as long-time friends and ardent admirers of Tomye Neal-Madison, a distinguished professional artist whose work has graced the halls of esteemed galleries and museums. Tomye's art is not just a visual feast; it's a cultural dialogue that enriches our community.

Today, we reach out to you with a plea for support on behalf of Tomye. Her vibrant spirit and creative genius are currently overshadowed by a health challenge that threatens her independence and artistic expression. Tomye is battling advanced arthritis, a condition that has severely limited her mobility. This year marked the beginning of a medical journey to reclaim her ability to walk without pain, starting with knee replacement surgery on her right knee.

Unfortunately, the path to recovery has been fraught with hurdles. Following the first surgery, Tomye has endured two additional surgeries on that same knee due to complications, significantly prolonging her rehabilitation process. Currently, she is being cared for in a short-term rehab facility (at Paul’s Towers Nursing Home), but her Medicare benefits are rapidly depleting, and soon, the costs of her care will exceed what her insurance covers.

Right now, Tomye has a cast from her foot to her hip, and she has minimal mobility. She is now mainly reliant on the wheelchair and is increasingly building up her ability to use the walker. The surgery and rehab on the right knee, however, exacerbate the severe arthritis in the left knee, so replacement on the left knee will have to be performed very soon.

Tomye will need continued PT and bodywork. Strengthening her body and getting it back in alignment with functioning legs is going to take time.

Medicare does not provide an unlimited allowance for this type of supplemental care, and that limit has been reached. Her savings are depleted, and she is still not generating any income during this process since she cannot pursue her artistic activities.

We have established this GoFundMe campaign to request your assistance. Our goal is to raise enough to ensure that Tomye receives the best care and treatment available. Your contributions will directly aid in covering the enormous cost of ongoing treatment.

The GoFundMe financial goal in the near term is approximately $4800.00 for 20 additional days of care at St. Paul's Towers; $3000.00 for additional home care support for five weeks; and $2200.00 towards the knee replacement on her left knee. Any donation you provide goes directly into Tomye's bank account.

Your generosity will not only help her with the medical care she needs, but hopefully with rent, bills, food, and all the other expenditures.

The road ahead is daunting. Once Tomye recovers from her current ordeal, she faces yet another knee replacement surgery, this time for her left knee. During this time, she will also be without the ability to create and teach—the very activities that define her livelihood and essence.

Tomye's home, a studio apartment that doubles as her sanctuary of creation, awaits her return. However, the financial burden of her medical needs, now falling entirely on her shoulders, is onerous. It's our turn to stand by Tomye, just as she has stood by us through her art and mentorship.

The interruption of Tomye's artistic journey has not only been a personal setback but also a loss for the community that her art serves. By supporting Tomye today, you are nurturing not just one artist's recovery but the cultural richness that she contributes to our world.

Join us in sustaining Tomye Neal-Madison through this challenging chapter. Your generosity will help her stand, walk, and eventually create and inspire once more.

How You Can Help:

1. Contribute: Your financial support will make a significant impact on Tomye's journey to recovery.

2. Share: Please share this campaign with your network. The more people who know about it, the better her chances are of reaching her goal.

With heartfelt thanks,

Cordell Sloan and Lonnie Moseley