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Dick Genske/Help His Widow?

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Please continue to pray for us.
My heart is broken.
I’m angry that my dad left the morning of August 18th for dialysis happy to be home and smiling on the morning bus and then he came home broken, in agony and begging to die....   I need justice for my daddy.
(Full details in the updates, update #13 to be exact)
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Original story:

I love my daddy; I thank you for helping him. 

Dick Genske, an Air Force veteran, came home from serving his country and married the woman of his dreams; my mother, Diane. That was over 50 years ago.  They went on to have 2 daughters and the family grew to include 2 grandsons and 1 great grandson.

My parents still holds hands like young lovers.
Dad and mom are best friends; one is rarely seen without the other. 
They share a deep true love and an unbelievable bond.
Dick and Diane are an inseparable team for richer or for poorer, in health and for some years now, in sickness.

After 2 heart attacks and several strokes, life began to change beyond what we could imagine which brings me to why I'm reaching out publicly for help.

My dad suffered kidney failure.  He goes to dialysis 3 times a week for over 2 years now; my dad’s will to live is strong and powerful. 
Poor blood circulation as a result of his failed kidneys has brought on a host of new health problems.

On Christmas Day 2015 my dad’s right leg was amputated after a few failed attempts to save it.  He forged ahead with his great attitude and learned to thrive in a wheel chair; with one leg (he is not a candidate for a prosthetic leg). 
There has been no stopping him with his cheerful disposition and infectious personality.  My dad’s will to live remains strong, yet his body is not cooperating.

On July 3rd 2017 his other leg was amputated; despite previous surgeries to try and leave part of his foot; he had hoped and prayed to have some way to pivot into bed or into a car from his wheel chair.
Now both dads’ legs are gone; amputated above the knees.

Now what?   What can we do?   How can we help him? 

The day before we celebrated the 4th of July, most of my dad’s independence was taken from him.
I am setting out to do what I can in order to help him maintain some quality of life and mobility.

 I’d so love to buy a transport van and the needed power lift, so that when dad is able to come home,  mom and I can take him to dialysis, take him to doctor appointments, take him to mass or go to see the church where they were married back in 1965.
Basically, the ability to give him back the freedom he so richly enjoys.
He is in a rehabilitation facility now and learning how to maximize his limited mobility.

The list of places to go and things to do with and for my dad are endless and will not be feasible without this transport van.
His spinal arthritis is already a problem and being in a wheel-chair has added to the pain that my dad will never let friends and family see.
My dad wants everyone to see him smiling (like the picture above), loving and laughing but don't let my dad fool ya, this has been a long, tough road. 
The silver lining is that we are still blessed to be together as a family through it all.

I’d also like to replace the medical mattresses on the beds that my parents purchased many years ago when health issues first started to plague them and my parents were still working at that time so there was money for such things.  
Now, the need for this equipment and medical supplies grows but the income does not. SSI does not take into account for these things, heck they only pay $255 for a funeral!
Not an unfamiliar situation for many struggling families.

My mother has been my dad’s sole caregiver through it all.  Taking care of dad is what my mom does; sadly mom has health issues as well and this has complicated an already tough situation.  My mom has titanium rods in her back and cannot lift or twist, all things you must do to care for the man you've loved for over 50 years.

My mom struggles with lupus, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy, yet still has been the one to nurse dad every step of the way; there are many days, she is so exhausted it's a miracle she keeps going and smiling through it all; mom does it for love.
This is what my family looks like through my eyes. 
My mom will be dads primary care giver when he comes home and must be able to accomplish this alone; I have to go back to work and cannot be there 24/7 anymore.

I'm doing what I can to help my dad but without specialized equipment, mom and I simply aren't able to do all that needs to be done. I moved back to Wisconsin after living in New Orleans for 10 years; I left a job and friends I love to come back to be with my family that I love more than anything.

My family is still gathering information on all that will be needed to care for dad and make whatever changes must be made to accommodate him at home, which is where he longs to be.

We don't know how long my dad will be in the rehabilitation facility; so far it has been 12 days following the 3 weeks in the hospital.  60 days is the limit for dads care in rehab per the insurance company.  
A lot needs to be done to be ready to greet him back home and provide the care my daddy deserves.

We sincerely appreciate anything you can do to help us get this done for a living miracle, my hero, and the bravest man I have ever known.  
Thank you in advance for the kindness through your donations and prayers. For, those of you that are people of science rather than faith, thank you for the positive vibes to the universe. 

You are all a blessing and I am forever grateful.

Thank you all!

Most sincerely,

Natalie Seaton, proud daughter of Dick and Diane Genske


#wheelsfordickgenske

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Organizer

Natalie Seaton
Organizer
Madison, WI

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