Every Step Counts - Goldsberry Fund

Our dear friend Dale Goldsberry suffered a moderate stroke on August 18 while working out of town in Oklahoma, and was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Ft. Smith Arkansas.  What was not known at the time  was that this was the second of 3 strokes.  The first mini stroke happened about 2-3 weeks prior to this one.  His shoulder and arm had been bothering him and he thought it was due to a pinched nerve or from the jarring ride in his work truck;  however it turns out that incident was the beginning of all of this.  The third incident happened the following evening while Laura and their friend Deb were in the hospital room with him.  
On the 20th of August the outlook did not look too good- there was no mobility or use of Dale's left side extremities...the prognosis from the neurosurgeon was bleak.  But Dale is a fighter and day by day since getting moved to the rehab unit he has been making great progress.  In the beginning the grip on the left side was non existent, and now three and a half weeks after being on the rehab wing he has a very strong grip.  Each day of therapy brings a new accomplishment and it's wonderful to see how his hard work and determination are paying off.  
Each week his entire medical team meets to go over his progress and scores.  The improvement has been continual and impressive so the insurance company keeps approving longer stays in Ft Smith. Physicians,therapists, and case managers are amazed at the progress he is making.  He began as a "2 assist" patient meaning he required 2 staff members on either side of him to help him to his feet, transfer from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to the bathroom, etc.  As he gained strength he was walking with a four footed cane/walker, and 2 therapists  flanking him.  He was unable to move his left leg on his own, so one of the therapists would literally kick his leg as he concentrated on walking. He did not have any control of moving that leg on his own.  
The week of Sept 6th he was pulling himself up out of the wheelchair with just one helper standing near in case he fell, but they are not physically helping him.  He has moved onto walking with a standard walker, as he is gaining more control over his left leg and getting strength back in the muscles thanks to the electronice stimulus machines they are using.  He has also gained control of his left hand and can now release your hand if he has gripped it.  He can wiggle his fingers as well.  
As you are reading this, I am sure these seem like small accomplishments, but they are huge leaps in his progress.  Such a big deal that on Friday, September 11th, Dale and Laura were told they are finally being given a choice to transfer to Kansas City for more inpatient therapy , or stay in Ft Smith.  This is something they have both been hoping for since the beginning however when first admitted his blood sugar was not stable enough for him to travel. 
Laura and their friend Deb have been staying in a hotel since August 13th and it will be wonderful for them not to have the cost of lodging and meals to contend with.  
No date has been set for the move back to KC, but the paperwork has been started and it should happen between the 17th and 22nd of this month. 
 While this will help immensely monetarily, they still  face many medical expenses as well as expenses related to some remodeling that will be needed for Dale to move back home after rehab.  
Dale did not have disability coverage through his employer, so until he is recovered enough to go back to work, they will have to make ends meet with just Laura's salary and the help of friends and family who donate through this Go Fund Me page.  
Neither of them are very comfortable with asking for or accepting help. They are usually on the giving/helping end...but that is simply not an option for them at this time.  This page is being set up to help them with the expenses they have accrued over the last month and those that will be coming their way during Dale's continued recovery period.  Many of us have been asking Laura what we can do while the two of them are so far from home, and the sad fact was there really wasn't much any of us could do for them from here.  I am hoping this page will serve as a way for all of us to be able to help them both out.
Once they know Dale's transfer date, I will post an update on this page so we can all celebrate them coming back to KC.  

Please share this page with anyone you think will want to receive updates on Dale's progress and help them out along this recovery journey.

Thanks to all who visit this page and please continue to send  your love, prayers and support for our dear friends as they work to navigate this new path.
 
Liz Payne