Bring Hope and Comfort to David's Life
Donation protected
- My father, David, was in a severe car accident when he was in his 20s. He had a traumatic brain injury. I was just a baby at this time, and he and my mother were divorced. His parents turned him over to the state, leaving him to be shuffled around from facility to facility, group home to group home. He was also homeless at one point. His parents never even visited him.
- On October 29th, 2024, a doctor in Las Vegas texted me saying she found me and I am his only surviving relative alive besides a nephew of his I have never met. His entire family had never been in my life, not even a phone call. The doctor told me David had not been eating for over 2 weeks and would likely die soon. I flew right away to Las Vegas to meet with my father to say our goodbyes. It was a bittersweet reunion. That day I was with him, I watched him try to eat 3 meals. It was an incredible feat that only makes me believe he found the will to live after years alone. He remembered this whole time he had a daughter. He was soiled in old clothes, has no ID, and is missing his teeth. They suggested he go into hospice. I bought him new clothes and food and was with him every day I was in Las Vegas. He was placed in a group home under hospice. I made sure his room was full of pictures and loving things to keep him afloat. The original hospital doctor and I were surprised by his will to live and move.
- I knew in my heart I had to move him to Florida. With no ID or much of anything, I have been working on getting him here. With your support, I am hoping to fly him very soon and help get him teeth and supplies as well as clothing. This is a tragic story that could end beautifully. He was left to rot; now he awaits so much love from my family I created. Thank you for any donation we receive. God bless.
Organizer
Melissa Gehrig
Organizer
Jacksonville, FL