Help Richard Heal (Brain Injury)
In the world right now there are so many people and causes that deserve attention and support from our community. It is with a heavy heart that this GoFundMe has been made, and out of complete lack of support from the state in securing the care and housing my father needs.
On May 15, 2020, my father Richard fell and hit his head in a bathroom at a friends house. The impact from the fall caused severe hemorrhaging in his head and required an emergency craniotomy to stop the bleeding and correct the severe swelling that was taking place.
From May 15 to May 21, my father was placed in a medically
induced coma due to the onset of intense seizures caused by the
traumatic head injury and subsequent surgery. Thankfully, the
seizures subsided and were controlled by medication, and my father could finally focus on rehabilitation and healing from this injury.
On May 26, five days after waking up, my father was transferred
to a local rehabilitation center for further assessment on what skills and abilities would need to be worked on. In addition to the actual physical healing process of the surgery, my father had impairments in speech, gross and fine motor skills (like standing, walking, writing, grasping items, etc.), and concerns with cognitive function. Now, anyone who knows my father can attest to the fact that he is a very strong person both physically and emotionally, which has helped his healing process immensely.
Unfortunately, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, my father and I were informed that his insurance found further care unnecessary (his physical abilities are much better, but cognitive function is still less than ideal), and that Friday, June 5, 2020, they will be releasing him from the rehabilitation center.
I do believe that physically my father has made large strides (pun intended), but the reality of the matter is that my father is now effectively homeless after this incident. Where he was living before is no longer feasible from a safety standpoint, and the best advice any social worker or persons advocating for people with disabilities, is to stay at a homeless shelter in order to fast track SSDI benefits (social security and disability). I sincerely do not believe that a shelter is ideal for my father at this time. Aside from being extremely high risk now in terms of Covid-19, his cognitive impairments alone put him in a dangerous position if he were to live at a shelter.
Through this fundraiser I am looking to collect enough income for my father to secure adequate and accessible housing that is conducive to his healing process. Especially while he awaits a second surgery to replace part of his skull (which is still removed) with a 3D printed cap, so to speak.
I am distraught and disappointed with the lack of support from social services and the health care system in my dads recovery. The fact that it was suggested by health care professionals to create a fundraiser is also infuriating. I am at a loss of what to do to support my father at this time, and I am looking for help from anyone who can donate.
The $1500 would be enough to secure housing and assistance for my father while we file for and wait approval of social security and disability benefits. Had I been given more than two days warning, this situation may have turned out differently, but as of right now this fundraiser is a last resort before my father gets put into the shelter system.
Aside from donating, any resources or information on other options in always welcome. Leads on boarding houses, handicapped accessible apartments for low cost, or services and organizations that help people in situations like my fathers, would be greatly appreciated.
