Dwayne’s Road to Recovery
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Chelsea, and I am fundraising for my dad, Dwayne.
On 06/04, just three weeks after my dad’s 53rd birthday, he suffered from a severe stroke, and as you can imagine, his life was immediately turned upside down.
My dad has a genetic clotting disorder that we learned of a short two years ago, and for that, he was placed on a blood thinner. Turns out, the medication he was on was not the right fit.
After months that consisted of chronic migraines, disorientation, phone calls telling me he didn’t know how to get home, and going from being an industry expert with 20+ years of experience, to being let go due to forgetting how to do key parts of his job, it all came together.
He had a blood clot on his brain, causing a stroke, and in turn, a car accident, demolishing his new truck (but unfortunately in this case, not totaling it).
Side note: No one involved in the accident sustained injuries.
My dad has worked so hard to get his life where he wanted it, after a tough road many of us haven’t traveled. Just recently, he started his own business.
Less than a year in, it feels as if his health is betraying him.
Soon after his stroke, I had to part ways with my employer so I could be with my dad as he fought to recover. I have since been deemed his full-time caregiver.
He’s nonverbal and has extremely limited mobility in his right leg, with no mobility in his right arm …
… but we’re coming from a near-vegetative state and a feeding tube, to walking with a cane in therapy and communicating via head nods and shakes.
We’ve made it this far. With the love and support of our family, the prioritized expenses have been covered to this point, but recovery is a long road, the bills won’t go away, and none of us were prepared for this in any way, including financially.
Social Security Disability has a five-month waiting period.
Please, any support you can provide, know it will be greatly appreciated. If we all band together by each contributing a little bit, we can get the finances taken care of, as well as ensure he continues getting the medical attention and therapy he so desperately needs.
Funds received will be prioritized in this order:
1. Health insurance premiums
2. Basic living expenses (rent, utilities, etc.)
3. Continued Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy sessions (insurance only covers 10 of each, so after this week, we only have 2 left for each discipline)
4. Past-due bills (including out-of-pocket medical expenses)
Please say a huge prayer for a full recovery, whether or not you are able to donate. And if it’s not too much to ask, please share on social media and via word of mouth to your friends, family, and coworkers.
Thank you so much!
Organizer
Chelsea Kennedy
Organizer
Wilmington, NC