Jamie Smith's Stroke Recovery Fund
Donation protected
On October 18th, 2015 just one month shy of his 43rd birthday, Jamie Smith suffered a Massive Stroke of the Middle Cerebral Artery. His life and the lives of those closest to him were forever altered as Jamie found himself in need of intense surgery and physical therapy to begin the long road to recovery. Jamie and his wife Lisa are facing immense challenges as they navigate new routines filled with appointments, rehabilitation, and daily care. Through the years, Jamie and Lisa have selflessly given themselves to their family, community, and church family. It is our turn to say thank you as we hope to #GoBeyondGiving and give back to them by relieving some of their newfound financial burdens.
Jamie and Lisa have two daughters, both in college (the oldest is getting married in six months). Before his stroke, Jamie had a good job in the construction field, as an estimator for Lobar Associates. Lisa was working in a local optometrist office, but she is now unable to work as she has taken on the duties of being Jamie’s full time caregiver.
Although Jamie receives long-term disability insurance and social security disability, this income has fallen well short of the massive costs incurred for his hospital bills and physical therapy. His family and friends held a benefit auction and concert in January and those funds kept them afloat financially … until now. Jamie and Lisa are worried as they enter a scary time, when their budget will be short $2000 each month. That’s exactly why we have established a $24,000 goal … so that Jamie and Lisa can know that their budget shortfall will be covered for the next twelve months, allowing them peace of mind as they focus their energies on Jamie’s improvement. Lisa has told us that their top two priorities are: (1) maintaining their medical insurance policy; and, (2) keeping their home. Thankfully their mortgage and their bills are fairly current at this time, but they are right at the tipping point of falling behind. They truly need our help.
Jamie’s stroke was massive. Both of his carotid arteries dissected, which led to a blood clot traveling to his brain. The doctors at Penn State/Hershey Medical Center had to perform emergency “hemicraniectomy surgery” (which removed the right side of Jamie’s skull, to allow his brain to swell without being fatal).
Jamie had to wear a special protective helmet on his head for three months, while waiting for the swelling to go down enough to proceed with surgery to replace his skull. The procedures were excruciatingly painful to say the least. The stroke affected his left side and he was unable to move or feel the left side of his body. He also lost a portion of his vision in his left eye.
Jamie was at Penn State/Hershey Medical Center for two weeks … then he transferred to HealthSouth Rehab Hospital for a little over one month. Since that time, he has been receiving Physical, Occupational, Speech and Cognitive Therapy. Jamie’s neurosurgeon told Jamie and Lisa that if someone had asked him in the beginning, if he thought Jamie would ever walk again, he would of said “no” (based on the size of the stoke and how much of his brain was affected).
But Jamie IS walking, praise God, but he cannot yet walk completely on his own. He requires his leg brace, shoes, his cane … and Lisa at his side. He still does not have use of his left arm and hand. Just recently he got a prosthetic device for his left arm (to help retrain his brain to work his arm and hand).
Several weeks ago, Jamie and Lisa were able to attend one of our church’s small group meetings on a Saturday evening. Jamie showed the group that he is now able to squeeze the fingers of his left hand … just a little bit. This small triumph of improvement is important to his recovery … and it has given him hope. Although Jamie has endured a year of pain related to the stroke, he is in fairly good spirits, he is speaking clearly and he is making progress. His head hurts on a daily basis and he has pain in his shoulder, hips, knees, back, arm and hand … but he doesn’t complain. It was a very special evening recently when his Circle Group listened to Jamie praying out loud, as he thanked the Lord for the beautiful and loving support he receives from his wife, Lisa.
Jamie desires to get back to work … but this will take time. He has been given limited permission by his doctors to attempt going back to work … but only for a few hours a day, a couple times a week. We’re not sure this is possible … at this time. Lisa would need to go to work with him, until Jamie can function safely on his own. Health insurance cannot be paid by his employer until Jamie is back full time.
Jamie and Lisa are active at The Meeting House in Carlisle, PA. Jamie was very involved with the church youth group for many years. He also enjoys hunting and being active outside, especially taking care of their home which Jamie designed and helped build. He and Lisa have worked hard for the last 25 years providing for their family. At the time of the stroke, they were finally feeling like they were starting to get ahead. Financially, emotionally, mentally and physically, Jamie and Lisa Smith are in need of grace and mercy from God … and generosity, prayers, and compassion from friends and strangers.
Please consider doing whatever you can to encourage Jamie and Lisa, by making a love gift to this Go Fund Me campaign. And, very importantly, we ask that you share our campaign link with your recommendation, to all of your Facebook (and other social media) friends.
With all our hearts, we thank you,
Jamie and Lisa’s Church Family
SaveSave
Jamie and Lisa have two daughters, both in college (the oldest is getting married in six months). Before his stroke, Jamie had a good job in the construction field, as an estimator for Lobar Associates. Lisa was working in a local optometrist office, but she is now unable to work as she has taken on the duties of being Jamie’s full time caregiver.
Although Jamie receives long-term disability insurance and social security disability, this income has fallen well short of the massive costs incurred for his hospital bills and physical therapy. His family and friends held a benefit auction and concert in January and those funds kept them afloat financially … until now. Jamie and Lisa are worried as they enter a scary time, when their budget will be short $2000 each month. That’s exactly why we have established a $24,000 goal … so that Jamie and Lisa can know that their budget shortfall will be covered for the next twelve months, allowing them peace of mind as they focus their energies on Jamie’s improvement. Lisa has told us that their top two priorities are: (1) maintaining their medical insurance policy; and, (2) keeping their home. Thankfully their mortgage and their bills are fairly current at this time, but they are right at the tipping point of falling behind. They truly need our help.
Jamie’s stroke was massive. Both of his carotid arteries dissected, which led to a blood clot traveling to his brain. The doctors at Penn State/Hershey Medical Center had to perform emergency “hemicraniectomy surgery” (which removed the right side of Jamie’s skull, to allow his brain to swell without being fatal).
Jamie had to wear a special protective helmet on his head for three months, while waiting for the swelling to go down enough to proceed with surgery to replace his skull. The procedures were excruciatingly painful to say the least. The stroke affected his left side and he was unable to move or feel the left side of his body. He also lost a portion of his vision in his left eye.
Jamie was at Penn State/Hershey Medical Center for two weeks … then he transferred to HealthSouth Rehab Hospital for a little over one month. Since that time, he has been receiving Physical, Occupational, Speech and Cognitive Therapy. Jamie’s neurosurgeon told Jamie and Lisa that if someone had asked him in the beginning, if he thought Jamie would ever walk again, he would of said “no” (based on the size of the stoke and how much of his brain was affected).
But Jamie IS walking, praise God, but he cannot yet walk completely on his own. He requires his leg brace, shoes, his cane … and Lisa at his side. He still does not have use of his left arm and hand. Just recently he got a prosthetic device for his left arm (to help retrain his brain to work his arm and hand).
Several weeks ago, Jamie and Lisa were able to attend one of our church’s small group meetings on a Saturday evening. Jamie showed the group that he is now able to squeeze the fingers of his left hand … just a little bit. This small triumph of improvement is important to his recovery … and it has given him hope. Although Jamie has endured a year of pain related to the stroke, he is in fairly good spirits, he is speaking clearly and he is making progress. His head hurts on a daily basis and he has pain in his shoulder, hips, knees, back, arm and hand … but he doesn’t complain. It was a very special evening recently when his Circle Group listened to Jamie praying out loud, as he thanked the Lord for the beautiful and loving support he receives from his wife, Lisa.
Jamie desires to get back to work … but this will take time. He has been given limited permission by his doctors to attempt going back to work … but only for a few hours a day, a couple times a week. We’re not sure this is possible … at this time. Lisa would need to go to work with him, until Jamie can function safely on his own. Health insurance cannot be paid by his employer until Jamie is back full time.
Jamie and Lisa are active at The Meeting House in Carlisle, PA. Jamie was very involved with the church youth group for many years. He also enjoys hunting and being active outside, especially taking care of their home which Jamie designed and helped build. He and Lisa have worked hard for the last 25 years providing for their family. At the time of the stroke, they were finally feeling like they were starting to get ahead. Financially, emotionally, mentally and physically, Jamie and Lisa Smith are in need of grace and mercy from God … and generosity, prayers, and compassion from friends and strangers.
Please consider doing whatever you can to encourage Jamie and Lisa, by making a love gift to this Go Fund Me campaign. And, very importantly, we ask that you share our campaign link with your recommendation, to all of your Facebook (and other social media) friends.
With all our hearts, we thank you,
Jamie and Lisa’s Church Family
SaveSaveOrganizer and beneficiary
Isaac Hayes
Organizer
Carlisle, PA
Jamie Smith
Beneficiary
