“Ain’t No Mountain!” Help Joyce Gardner - Stroke

We’ve all promised to help our loved ones by saying,

“If you need me, call me!"

Joyce Gardner is a sweet and loving woman.

She is the center of our family.

She needs us, and we need you!

As the song goes,

There “Ain’t no mountain high,

Ain’t no valley low,

Ain’t no river wide enough, baby”

To keep us from getting our beloved Joyce the help she needs!

WHAT HAPPENED?

Joyce had a stroke in October 2021, leaving her incapacitated in a hospital bed. She could not walk, sit up, feed herself, bathe, turn herself onto her side, and became incontinent. Her speech was limited, she wouldn’t eat, and only sleeps short intervals at a time. We brought her to her home of almost 60 years because that is where she would want to be. A few days later, the doctor told us we should gather the family as he expected her to pass within the week. We were shocked!

To our surprise, 3 weeks later, after not eating, she was still with us. We had to hire 24-hour-a-day caregivers because she needed constant attention and care around the clock. Then she began to eat pureed baby food. She may be down, but she’s not out, and she’s now fighting to live! Her eyes were closed for the first 2 months. Slowly gaining some strength from the baby food, she finally opened her eyes and eventually started conversing a little. The process is painfully slow at her age. She made it to Christmas, and we were so happy. Her improvements were slight but still there.

Then she got COVID, another BIG setback, making her very weak again. But because of her wonderful caregivers, who treat her like she’s one of their own family, who have patiently cared for her around the clock, and pureed her more nutritious adult food, we have now made it to May. Her caregivers are a godsend to our family and are so good to her!

While her improvements are still small and slow, she still needs a lot of care. We have days where she talks and responds to us. She is aware of her surroundings and the conversation in the room. She gets joy from the little toy dog we got her that looks like her late dog Honey. She enjoys having her oldest daughter, who lives with her, by her side. She enjoys all of her family that visits her often. We all want to help Joyce live, thrive, and improve as long as she wants to fight to stay with us. We hope you can help us too!

WHO’S JOYCE?

Joyce Gardner is the matriarch of our family. She is the sweetest, kindest, loving person you could ever meet. She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She is the glue that holds our family together. She’s funny and silly and just a joy to be around. If you’re having a bad day, she’s right there to listen and rally around you to take your side and lift your spirits. If you could envision the perfect mother, this would be her! She is the best mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend you could ever have.

HELP NEEDED?

We need help paying for Joyce’s ongoing medical expenses and 24-hour caregivers. Long-term care is not covered under her health insurance, nor is a nursing home. The cost of caregivers is enormous and family funds have been depleted. Without the caregiver's countless hours of dedication to her care, we wouldn’t have her with us. We need to keep them because they are her best chance at life again!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Donate any amount you can afford. No amount is too small. All funds will go to Joyce to pay for her care!

Thank you!

Kerry Browne

Joyce’s youngest daughter