Bakewell/Sumner Strong!

As 2016 comes to a close and the holiday season approaches, most families rejoice in the season...  but a loving and strong family I know faces a troubling sense of uncertainty.

A few years back Mary Lou began experiencing neck and back pain, increasing in severity and causing numbness in her arm.  Her insurance company denied payment for an MRI test, resulting in continuous misdiagnosis from various doctors.  Since then her pain and symptoms increased rapidly leaving her unable to hold her precious 10 month old for several months now.  Due to increasing pain and with no relief in sight, an MRI was finally ordered with limited coverage from insurance, and results no one should ever have to hear.  An oversized tumor was found on her 6th and 7th vertebrae that will require immediate surgery.  Mary Lou is scheduled for the 9 hour emergency procedure December 13th in an attempt to remove the tumor. However the outcome is extremely risky due to the tumor's size and location directly on her spinal cord.  If the procedure is a success, she will be on bed rest for a month to heal.  

I am reaching out because Mary Lou and her fiance, Chad are two of the HARDEST  working and LOVING people I know.  While Mary Lou is healing, Chad will have to stay home to tend to Mary Lou and raise their 10 month old practically alone.  This means that neither Chad nor Mary Lou can work, which in turn means no income for at least a month, probably longer.  You ask how is that even possible with short term or long term disability?  Mary Lou and Chad are both in the service industry which means no work= no pay. 

To anyone that may read this, be it a family member, friend, or aquaintance, anything you could afford to donate at this time would not just help ensure Mary Lou and Chad cover the rising medical and living expenses soon to follow...but also provide their daughter a deserving first Christmas all children should experience. If you are unable to donate, please send prayers and share their story.  We will provide updates after Mary Lou's surgery and hopefully full recovery. Thank you all for your generosity and God bless.

"A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great."
                                                           Proverbs 18:16