Wheelchair Van for Jerry
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Hello. My name is Kristen. My dad, Jerry Timmons, suffered a brain stem stroke in 2011 that has left him unable to walk, eat and speak. I have created this GoFundMe campaign with the goal of purchasing a wheelchair-accessible van that will allow my dad the freedom to leave his home.
Jerry’s Story:
On November 11, 2011, my dad, Jerry, a hardworking housepainter, was rushed to the emergency room after suffering a massive stroke in his brain stem. I remember the fear and sadness in his eyes as the doctors hurriedly checked his vitals and addressed next steps. Dad grabbed for his face as though to check that it was still there. His eyes and mouth started to droop. After the MRI scan revealed a second brain stem blood clot, we asked my dad what he wanted as the doctors asked whether to move forward with a procedure to loosen the blood clot. It was uncertain whether Dad would survive the surgery. He stammered, “I don’t know…I don’t want to be a burden. I don’t want to be a burden.” His words slurred.
Soon thereafter, my dad was placed in a medically induced coma to allow his brain to heal and we were told by the doctors that we just had to wait to see if his body could survive the stroke and if so, its effect on his body. My dad survived and was finally sent home after weeks in the intensive care unit, hospital and rehabilitation center. The doctors were eventually able to wean him off of the ventilator and tracheostomy, a breathing tube in his neck, but he had permanently lost his ability to walk, eat, swallow and speak.
Today:
We care for my dad at our family’s home. He gets his nutrition via a feeding tube. He uses a handmade, laminated letter board in order to communicate his basic needs and feelings. Attempts at utilizing technology for communication have been unsuccessful due to his lack of muscle control. My dad has endured multiple life-threatening complications over the past few years. He currently has a tracheostomy again and relies on a constant flow of oxygen.

Due to the level of my dad’s care needs, Medicaid has been unable to locate a State-sanctioned caregiver that is qualified, willing, and/or available to relieve my mom of his 24-hours a day/7-days a week care needs. Yet through it all, my mom has tenaciously fought for his care and has remained committed to keeping her husband at home and out of a nursing home- despite what that has meant for her own physical, emotional and financial freedom.
I now provide care for my dad on a weekly basis to allow my mom to take care of basic errands, chores and tasks (which often revolve around the many doctor appointments, insurance/Medicaid issues), or to simply take a nap. The emotional and physical toll it has taken on my parents is heartbreaking and overwhelming at times; and yet they continue to move forward day by day.
I am asking for your help:
One of their greatest struggles is my parents’ inability to leave their home. My mom is physically unable to lift my dad into a vehicle by herself and cannot manage the weight of the medical equipment that my dad requires by herself (oxygen tanks, tracheostomy care-related equipment, medical supplies, etc). As such, my parents are unable to take part in everyday tasks that are essential to a person’s sense of freedom and belonging. Simple things such as grocery shopping, visiting friends, and participating in support-related events are not an option.

And so, here I am. I am asking for your help. My goal is to raise sufficient funds to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van for my dad. I hope to give my dad (and mom) the ability to leave their home.
I humbly ask for your help in providing a donation towards the purchase of wheelchair-accessible van. Anything that you are comfortable or able to contribute would be greatly appreciated. And please, do ask if you have any questions! I am happy to provide more details about my dad and our hopes for a wheelchair-accessible van, as well as information regarding my own experience in caring for a stroke survivor/loved one, and grief recovery.
With Love,
Kristen
In Solidarity – Ragnar Northwest Passage:
In solidarity with my dad, my wonderful cousins, close friends, and I will be running the Ragnar Northwest Passage – a running relay race from Blaine, WA to Langley, WA (that’s about 200 miles!) on July 14th and 15th. Our hope is to raise awareness around stroke, and to give my Dad a voice (and legs) as we run on his behalf. Become an honorary member of our team and consider contributing to this campaign in support of Jerry!

Jerry’s Story:
On November 11, 2011, my dad, Jerry, a hardworking housepainter, was rushed to the emergency room after suffering a massive stroke in his brain stem. I remember the fear and sadness in his eyes as the doctors hurriedly checked his vitals and addressed next steps. Dad grabbed for his face as though to check that it was still there. His eyes and mouth started to droop. After the MRI scan revealed a second brain stem blood clot, we asked my dad what he wanted as the doctors asked whether to move forward with a procedure to loosen the blood clot. It was uncertain whether Dad would survive the surgery. He stammered, “I don’t know…I don’t want to be a burden. I don’t want to be a burden.” His words slurred.
Soon thereafter, my dad was placed in a medically induced coma to allow his brain to heal and we were told by the doctors that we just had to wait to see if his body could survive the stroke and if so, its effect on his body. My dad survived and was finally sent home after weeks in the intensive care unit, hospital and rehabilitation center. The doctors were eventually able to wean him off of the ventilator and tracheostomy, a breathing tube in his neck, but he had permanently lost his ability to walk, eat, swallow and speak.
Today:
We care for my dad at our family’s home. He gets his nutrition via a feeding tube. He uses a handmade, laminated letter board in order to communicate his basic needs and feelings. Attempts at utilizing technology for communication have been unsuccessful due to his lack of muscle control. My dad has endured multiple life-threatening complications over the past few years. He currently has a tracheostomy again and relies on a constant flow of oxygen.
Due to the level of my dad’s care needs, Medicaid has been unable to locate a State-sanctioned caregiver that is qualified, willing, and/or available to relieve my mom of his 24-hours a day/7-days a week care needs. Yet through it all, my mom has tenaciously fought for his care and has remained committed to keeping her husband at home and out of a nursing home- despite what that has meant for her own physical, emotional and financial freedom.
I now provide care for my dad on a weekly basis to allow my mom to take care of basic errands, chores and tasks (which often revolve around the many doctor appointments, insurance/Medicaid issues), or to simply take a nap. The emotional and physical toll it has taken on my parents is heartbreaking and overwhelming at times; and yet they continue to move forward day by day.
I am asking for your help:
One of their greatest struggles is my parents’ inability to leave their home. My mom is physically unable to lift my dad into a vehicle by herself and cannot manage the weight of the medical equipment that my dad requires by herself (oxygen tanks, tracheostomy care-related equipment, medical supplies, etc). As such, my parents are unable to take part in everyday tasks that are essential to a person’s sense of freedom and belonging. Simple things such as grocery shopping, visiting friends, and participating in support-related events are not an option.
And so, here I am. I am asking for your help. My goal is to raise sufficient funds to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van for my dad. I hope to give my dad (and mom) the ability to leave their home.
I humbly ask for your help in providing a donation towards the purchase of wheelchair-accessible van. Anything that you are comfortable or able to contribute would be greatly appreciated. And please, do ask if you have any questions! I am happy to provide more details about my dad and our hopes for a wheelchair-accessible van, as well as information regarding my own experience in caring for a stroke survivor/loved one, and grief recovery.
With Love,
Kristen
In Solidarity – Ragnar Northwest Passage:
In solidarity with my dad, my wonderful cousins, close friends, and I will be running the Ragnar Northwest Passage – a running relay race from Blaine, WA to Langley, WA (that’s about 200 miles!) on July 14th and 15th. Our hope is to raise awareness around stroke, and to give my Dad a voice (and legs) as we run on his behalf. Become an honorary member of our team and consider contributing to this campaign in support of Jerry!
Organizer
Kristen Nelson
Organizer
Seattle, WA
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