My name is Ryan Pritchard and I am a disabled mother of a beautiful 2 year old boy Lucas. My boyfriend of almost 4 years and I live together with our son and our fur daughter, Phoebe. Things were going really great for us as a family until our lives changed on

April 21st 2023.

(Two days before our lives went into a spiral)

Jason was admitted to the hospital after being sick and fatigued for weeks and we were told he has congestive heart failure at only 44 years old but little did we know what kind of a journey we would be in for. Barely a week after being admitted into the hospital he had to transfer downtown because we found out most of his arteries were 100% blocked, his heart function was extremely low (15-20%) and he was in need of open heart surgery.

However days later on May 2nd everything changed for the worse. Jason coded (meaning he stopped breathing and had no heartbeat) twice and was on life support. Our world was shattered. Doctors didn’t know what to tell us but I never lost hope. He was on ECMO, Impella, and dialysis for his kidneys because they took a hit when he coded. As weeks went by and as the second life support was added he was awakened and slowly getting stronger. He did have a feeding tube, ventilator and then a trach. It took almost a month for one of life support to go away. And over 2 months later they gave him a defibrillator.

(A blood drain and one of many IVs)

(Jason as he got a little stronger and had to learn to sit up and needed a lot of support)

(When Jason was at LTAC and Lucas was able to visit whenever!)

Long story short Jason ended up at a long-term acute care facility for almost a month before being transferred to a rehab facility. He slowly made progress but during his stay at rehab he started to worsen. I was begging everyone there for answers but no one could give any until July 29th a day after our sons 2nd Birthday he was transferred back to the hospital. We found out his heart condition had worsened and he needed more.

(Our son’s 2nd Birthday party was celebrated with Daddy at skilled nursing rehab. Also the day before Jason was readmitted)

That brings me to now.. Jason received an L-VAD which is helping the left side of his heart function and is still trying to get stronger. He still may end up needing a heart transplant down the road as well. However he is unable to work and hasn’t been able to work. Jason was at his current place of employment for around 8 months which didn’t grant him short term disability. He won’t be able to work and we live in an apartment and we know things are going to be hard when he gets to come home.

While waiting to get Jason approved for social security it can take up to a year if not longer and that is why we are asking for any help we can get because we won’t be able to do any of this on my social security income alone. I cannot walk far distances and need help getting places and we know Jason will need assistance too.

Thank you to anyone and everyone who took the time to read this and/or helps. Any money raised will be used for rent, getting things we need that insurance won’t pay for including an hitch or something to help to have two scooters for our car that isn’t accessible. All of the help is truly appreciated. If you feel like it please share to help get our story out.