Supporting Dave Babcock's Recovery
Donation protected
In September 2018, our beloved Dave Babcock suffered a left Medial Cerebral Artery stroke, leaving him with profound deficits. While in the ICU recovering, he experienced a second ischemic stroke, after which doctors placed him on a morphine drip in anticipation of imminent death. But, our Dave had other plans and survived all this despite the poor prognosis. However, this Spring, he suffered a series of successive seizures, yet again requiring hospitalization and extensive care.
The damage to the left side of Dave's brain resulted in a condition called aphasia, both a receptive and expressive inability to speak and fully process incoming information. Additionally, he has verbal and written apraxia (inability to form or write words), as well as right hemiplegia (paralysis on the right side of his body). He is able to walk, with the help of an Ankle Foot Orthotic (AFO) device, cane, and consistent support. Despite all this, he is very much our Dave; humor and intellect intact, but largely locked in and unable to verbally communicate.
We plan to apply to the Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning. This program is the best outpatient aphasia program in the United States. But, Dave must make significant therapeutic strides before being accepted into this program. The biggest challenge will be increasing the amount of speech therapy he must receive in order to tackle the daunting challenge of overcoming apraxia.
To that end, we are reaching out to all of you who are interested and able to contribute to Dave's recovery fund. Though we have been blessed by good insurance that has provided the necessary therapy, this has now run its course. As we move forward, in order to sustain the required therapy schedule, we will have to pay out of pocket. At The Center for Neurological Skills, the facility Dave currently attends, one hourlong session of speech therapy alone is $200. To maximize recovery, Dave should be receiving at least six hours a day of this intensive rehabilitation. Beyond physical, speech, and occupational therapy, Dave requires important medical devices to help him adapt to his new life. One example of this is the Bioness leg brace, a cutting edge, electrical AI device capable of stimulating nerves and causing the foot to actually move. This brace costs $10,500 and is not covered by insurance. These are just a few examples of the costs associated with Dave's recovery.
Over these 15 months, Eve, Dave's youngest daughter, has been his full-time caregiver. She has stepped off her career path to selflessly devote her time and energy to provide the necessary daily care and supplemental speech and physical therapy to Dave. Beyond that, Eve has been responsible for managing every aspect of Dave's care schedule and daily life. We could not have done this without her.
But it is time for her to begin the transition back into her own life and career. Nancy, Dave's wife, continues to work full time as a nurse educator and, now, sole breadwinner. Unfortunately, because of Dave's aphasia and physical deficits, he requires significant therapy, as well as a full-time caregiver which will cost roughly $1,500/week. Stroke recovery requires countless hours of innovative therapy to stimulate neuronal regrowth and create new pathways for communication and physical rehabilitation.
We are hoping that, with your contributions, we are able to continue to provide the necessary high-level therapy and vigilant caregiving Dave needs in order to help him make as full of a recovery as possible. Dave has regained a great deal in the last fourteen months but the reality is that stroke recovery continues to be a long and complex process. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so selflessly during this incredible journey.
Love,
The Babcock Family
Videos of Dave
The damage to the left side of Dave's brain resulted in a condition called aphasia, both a receptive and expressive inability to speak and fully process incoming information. Additionally, he has verbal and written apraxia (inability to form or write words), as well as right hemiplegia (paralysis on the right side of his body). He is able to walk, with the help of an Ankle Foot Orthotic (AFO) device, cane, and consistent support. Despite all this, he is very much our Dave; humor and intellect intact, but largely locked in and unable to verbally communicate.
We plan to apply to the Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning. This program is the best outpatient aphasia program in the United States. But, Dave must make significant therapeutic strides before being accepted into this program. The biggest challenge will be increasing the amount of speech therapy he must receive in order to tackle the daunting challenge of overcoming apraxia.
To that end, we are reaching out to all of you who are interested and able to contribute to Dave's recovery fund. Though we have been blessed by good insurance that has provided the necessary therapy, this has now run its course. As we move forward, in order to sustain the required therapy schedule, we will have to pay out of pocket. At The Center for Neurological Skills, the facility Dave currently attends, one hourlong session of speech therapy alone is $200. To maximize recovery, Dave should be receiving at least six hours a day of this intensive rehabilitation. Beyond physical, speech, and occupational therapy, Dave requires important medical devices to help him adapt to his new life. One example of this is the Bioness leg brace, a cutting edge, electrical AI device capable of stimulating nerves and causing the foot to actually move. This brace costs $10,500 and is not covered by insurance. These are just a few examples of the costs associated with Dave's recovery.
Over these 15 months, Eve, Dave's youngest daughter, has been his full-time caregiver. She has stepped off her career path to selflessly devote her time and energy to provide the necessary daily care and supplemental speech and physical therapy to Dave. Beyond that, Eve has been responsible for managing every aspect of Dave's care schedule and daily life. We could not have done this without her.
But it is time for her to begin the transition back into her own life and career. Nancy, Dave's wife, continues to work full time as a nurse educator and, now, sole breadwinner. Unfortunately, because of Dave's aphasia and physical deficits, he requires significant therapy, as well as a full-time caregiver which will cost roughly $1,500/week. Stroke recovery requires countless hours of innovative therapy to stimulate neuronal regrowth and create new pathways for communication and physical rehabilitation.
We are hoping that, with your contributions, we are able to continue to provide the necessary high-level therapy and vigilant caregiving Dave needs in order to help him make as full of a recovery as possible. Dave has regained a great deal in the last fourteen months but the reality is that stroke recovery continues to be a long and complex process. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so selflessly during this incredible journey.
Love,
The Babcock Family
Videos of Dave
Organizer and beneficiary
Natalie Babcock
Organizer
Encino, CA
Eve Babcock
Beneficiary
