Brother Vic's Medical Expense Fund
Donation protected
As you may or may not know, our brother-in-law, Vic Pickett has recently been diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis (T.M.) which has paralyzed him from the chest down. T.M. is a rare disease that is actually considered a “spinal injury” which affects around 1400 people each year.
Vic has enjoyed a life together with the love-of-his-life, Marge Wakley (Ray’s sister) for 49 years. Originally from our hometown of North East, PA, they moved to Mesa, AZ over 31 years ago. Vic has been active in the shooting sports/industry for over 25 years; shooting revolvers was always his favorite! He’s worked hundreds of hours volunteering his time at Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club helping with major competitions and monthly ICORE matches. He’s been a loving, caring brother-in-law through the years, and has always believed in “paying it forward”. Now it is our turn to help him.
It was early August, after going to the movies with Marge, when he noticed weakness in his legs and felt unstable on his feet. Sadly, this was only the beginning of his affliction. Vic was admitted to the hospital for testing for 5 days, then released. After 2 days at home, suddenly all his strength and ability to walk was gone and he was transported back to the hospital by ambulance.
After diagnosing the condition as T.M., the doctors told him there was no set cure for this disease, and treatment is limited. One treatment is massive doses of steroids, and the second treatment is Total Plasma Exchange (T.P.E.). He has been in hospitals and rehab facilities since August 18, 2017. He will be transferred to a Health South Rehab Facility for a period of 3 weeks. After that, any recovery could take 3 months to years of rehabilitation along with continual medical expenses. More recently another set-back has now caused weakness in his arms, hands, and bodily functions as well.
Vic and Marge need our help. So far the projected cost of his health care through mid-October is close to $800,000. Of that, Vic’s co-pays, etc. are projected at $352,000! As you can see, your support will help to relieve some of the financial burden of Vic’s share of the medical bills including the estimated $18,000 for remodeling their home to make it A.D.A. compliant (handicap accessible). With financial assistance, Vic & Marge can focus on his rehab (learning to live as a paraplegic), and being able to do so at their home. Other expenses he will incur will be for Home Health Care, a wheelchair, hospital bed, and other misc. medical equipment.
Will you please consider helping? If you can, please donate towards Vic’s expenses either through this GoFundMe page or directly to Vic. Every dollar will make a difference; no amount is too small! Anything would be greatly appreciated! (But whether you can donate or not, please, please, please include Vic in your daily prayers for healing and strength through this most difficult time.) Thank you so much!
With love,
Raymond & Carol Wakley
Vic has enjoyed a life together with the love-of-his-life, Marge Wakley (Ray’s sister) for 49 years. Originally from our hometown of North East, PA, they moved to Mesa, AZ over 31 years ago. Vic has been active in the shooting sports/industry for over 25 years; shooting revolvers was always his favorite! He’s worked hundreds of hours volunteering his time at Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club helping with major competitions and monthly ICORE matches. He’s been a loving, caring brother-in-law through the years, and has always believed in “paying it forward”. Now it is our turn to help him.
It was early August, after going to the movies with Marge, when he noticed weakness in his legs and felt unstable on his feet. Sadly, this was only the beginning of his affliction. Vic was admitted to the hospital for testing for 5 days, then released. After 2 days at home, suddenly all his strength and ability to walk was gone and he was transported back to the hospital by ambulance.
After diagnosing the condition as T.M., the doctors told him there was no set cure for this disease, and treatment is limited. One treatment is massive doses of steroids, and the second treatment is Total Plasma Exchange (T.P.E.). He has been in hospitals and rehab facilities since August 18, 2017. He will be transferred to a Health South Rehab Facility for a period of 3 weeks. After that, any recovery could take 3 months to years of rehabilitation along with continual medical expenses. More recently another set-back has now caused weakness in his arms, hands, and bodily functions as well.
Vic and Marge need our help. So far the projected cost of his health care through mid-October is close to $800,000. Of that, Vic’s co-pays, etc. are projected at $352,000! As you can see, your support will help to relieve some of the financial burden of Vic’s share of the medical bills including the estimated $18,000 for remodeling their home to make it A.D.A. compliant (handicap accessible). With financial assistance, Vic & Marge can focus on his rehab (learning to live as a paraplegic), and being able to do so at their home. Other expenses he will incur will be for Home Health Care, a wheelchair, hospital bed, and other misc. medical equipment.
Will you please consider helping? If you can, please donate towards Vic’s expenses either through this GoFundMe page or directly to Vic. Every dollar will make a difference; no amount is too small! Anything would be greatly appreciated! (But whether you can donate or not, please, please, please include Vic in your daily prayers for healing and strength through this most difficult time.) Thank you so much!
With love,
Raymond & Carol Wakley
Organizer and beneficiary
Carol DePaul Wakley
Organizer
North East, PA
Victor Pickett
Beneficiary