Fr Rick Wendell

Father Rick lost his lower leg last year due to a life threatening infection. We are trying to raise funds to cover the medical expenses above and beyond what insurance will cover for the prosthetic. As is the case with many who suddenly experience a life-threatening illness, amputation and subsequent handicap, there are many unforeseen costs that are unaccounted for.

Father Rick Wendell  is currently rehabilitating with his second prosthetic leg and awaiting the completion of his third prosthetic limb which will cost just over $30,000 when all is said and done. Father Rick’s first round of his GoFundMe campaign raised just over $35,000! These initial funds went into Father Rick’s bank account and were managed by his accountant, Debra Hyde. The initial campaign funds were then applied to cover the medical costs associated with Father’s first and second prosthetic legs as well as for physical therapy as his insurance limits the number of visits per year it will cover.

This GoFundMe campaign has been extended and now seeks to raise further funds for Father Rick’s third prosthetic leg and the accompanying medical expenses. Unfortunately, this is just the beginning for someone in Father Rick's position. Father must continue to cover the deductible costs of physical therapy and as a diabetic, Father Rick has to pay for insulin out of pocket as well as for many of his other prescriptions.

Getting Father Rick back to full-time ministry ASAP was the main goal, and as you can see from Father's weekly Sunday homilies  we’ve managed to get him back to part-time ministry with your initial support! In order to get Father Rick back to full-time ministry it may become necessary to retrofit Father’s home and vehicle to make them more handicap accessible as he’s putting stress on other parts of his body while compensating for a lack of suitable accommodations. Father Rick may also require an assistant for a couple of hours per week to help him with cleaning and other household chores which he is no longer capable of completing on his own.

Attached are a few videos of Father Rick’s progress as he learns to take one step at a time:

Father Rick Wendell’s Prosthetic Leg Physical Therapy with Dr Justin 
Father Rick Wendell’s Prosthetic Leg Physical Therapy 
Prosthetic Leg Rehabilitation with Father Rick Wendell 
Fr Rick Wendell Step Rehabilitation October 2019 
Father Rick Wendell Rehab on Stairs October 2019

A special thanks goes out to all of you who found it in your heart to donate to Father Rick’s cause and initial GoFundMe campaign! Also, thanks to Christine Watkins, of Queen of Peace Media, who helped spread Father Rick’s message and garnered additional support from her wonderful community:

The incredible near death experience of Fr Rick Wendell