BRIAN DILLINGHAM'S STROKE RECOVERY FUND
Donation protected
THEN:
On Tuesday, December 26th Brian suffered from an ischemic stroke at 38 years old (of course he made sure he got to celebrate Christmas first!). That night, he lost control/function of his entire left side, but luckily his family acted F.A.S.T. and literally saved his life! The ambulance rushed him to the hospital as a "Code Stroke", where a CT scan showed a potential bleed on his brain; He was then rushed to another hospital because his stroke was complex in presentation as various neurologists were unsure of what was really happening. He had more tests done that showed no more bleeding but a clot w/ a total of 3 areas of ischemia in the brain. Ongoing testing is still being done to search for a cause in such a young and healthy man, while a second opinion from various solid neurologists and cardiologists from around St. Louis is still being sought out as well. On Tuesday, January 2nd, Brian was moved to a spectacular stroke rehab facility and he stayed there for inpatient physical and occupational therapy. He kicked butt and took names quickly, and made it out and back home to his family just one week later to that first day! (We think it must have been all the Christmas cookies and the snow!).
NOW:
He is gaining function back, but he will still need extensive hard work on his fine motor skills and his balance/stability at an outpatient stroke rehab facility. From issues with insurance coverages (imagine that), the fact that some home modifications may still need to put in to place to make their home safer for him (changing daily), and all the medical bills that will surely be rolling in soon, he and his family are still fighting and praying hard daily for a full recovery. In order for Brian to fully recover, we are asking for all of YOUR help!!!
FUTURE:
Some days are better than others for everyone, but we do know that Brian will be out of work for what is now an unknown amount of time - with hopes he will not be forced to go back to work too soon for various reasons (especially financial). His wonderful wife Colleen has absolutely fallen in love with working as a substitute teacher at Prairie View Elementary School, but they still have a self-owned video game truck business, household of 3 boys, pet dogs, a bearded dragon (his name is Waffles in case you were curious), and now many heavy financial burdens regarding his care and recovery to also now worry about. Although they are surrounded with so much love and emotional support already, we need your help in showing them just how much they truly are loved and supported by so many whose lives they have all touched in some way! They have absolutely never been ones to ask for any help, so their family has set up this GoFundMe for all those who are asking and willing to help them out - THIS IS EXACTLY HOW! Please help aid in Brian's recovery journey in any way that you can, we will all be forever grateful!
***All donations will go directly to Brian & Colleen.***
Organizer and beneficiary
Abbi Dillingham
Organizer
Lake Saint Louis, MO
Colleen Dillingham
Beneficiary