Some help for the Lynds

I have known John and Toni Lynd for years but came to know them more closely in the last few years after I had the pleasure of directing John in The Whale at CCT.  I always knew John's penchant for "Hawk Eye Pierce" tongue in cheek one-liners.  During The Whale I discovered the thoughtful, wistful side of John.  He gave his all to that show and it was then that he shared that, like the leading character, and my mom at that time, he was suffering from a degenerative disease of his lungs.  I respected his privacy in not sharing this with others, but was moved to tears nightly watching his heart wrenching performances.  I have always admired actors who give their all to their craft, who leave no depth unsounded, no height unscaled.  John is that type of actor and I loved working with him.  His wife and partner Toni is equally talented.  They are a pair of beautiful souls who have forged their own idiosyncratic path together life.  I admire them for living their passions.  Few people manage to make a living doing what they love, but John and Toni have done just that... until now.  John's illness makes it harder and harder to breathe, but the government and insurance companies require that people go to ridiculous lengths to get the assistance they need in times of trouble.  John has had to quit his jobs and he and Toni have been forced to sell their house.  In recent months I've asked them on several occasions why John was not using oxygen.  Having seen my mother go through this process, I knew that oxygen is very important to improve quality of life and also to help prevent the cardiac arrest that is a constant worry for patients with impaired lung function.  The answer was that the insurance company was dragging its feet and the Lynds did not qualify for government disability assistance because John was continuing to plow through his pain and work!  Finally, recently John and Toni had to purchase an oxygen generator at a cost of $800.00. 

In times of difficulty we all need a network of friends and family to help us through.  I found that out over twenty years ago, when my own husband was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.  It was the love and assistance of a strong network of people who buoyed us up so that we could concentrate on healing and on each other.  

John has been admitted to the hospital for pneumonia; this is one of the things that happens as this illness progresses.  John and Toni are well loved and many of you have already helped in myriad ways, but even with health insurance, they are going to be facing many more expenses which will add stress to the trials that await them.  I am setting up this campaign to help ease a bit of that stress through the next couple of weeks so that John can concentrate on healing and Toni can concentrate on him. 

If you can help in any amount, all funds will go to John and Toni, to use as needed for food, moving expenses, medical needs (including the $800 for the oxygen pump) etc.