Chris Owen’s Medical Needs

Chris Owen is our dad. There are 10 of us kids. Chris is married to the lovely Kelley Owen. They recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary.

Chris is currently at St. Francis in Tulsa, OK with a rather complicated medical case which I will try to explain. He has a degenerative muscle disease called Inclusion Body Myositis, which is similar to ALS and currently has no cure. He has relied on a electric power chair for mobility for the last few years. A seemingly routine visit to the hospital on May 17, turned gravely serious two days later when Chris suffered cardiac arrest and was placed on a ventilator for nearly a week. Shortly after the ventilator was removed, it was discovered that a clot had completely restricted circulation to his left foot and lower leg. On May 31, Chris underwent amputation just below the left knee. Chris and Kelley and the entire family are thankful for Chris’s life and recovery so far from that cardiac arrest. We are all hopeful and praying for continued healing and recovery. Following a 3 week stay in ICU, Chris was moved to a regular hospital room and from there to spend a number of days in a rehabilitation facility.

When Chris is able to return home, he will need a number of accessibility/mobility tools in place as his ability to move from bed to chair and to use the restroom have been dramatically impacted. The family expects some help from insurance for equipment but there are overwhelming financial needs looming in the near and long term. Chris and Kelley’s ability to work is severely impacted as Kelley is now going to be focused on caregiving. There was a bathroom remodel for accessibility in the planning stages but that now has to happen as soon as possible. Family members are stepping up to help and we invite those of you who know and love Chris, Kelley, their children and friends and family to join together in offering support to Chris and Kelley during this time of difficulty and need.