Help Bring Big Bill Home Safe

Hi, my name is Kaitlyn Weiss and I am creating this page for my Father Bill Teemsma on behalf of my mother Vivian.

On November 8th, 2022 my Dad had to have surgery for a life threatening aortic aneurysm at Stonybrook Hospital. Even though the 13 hour surgery was successful, there was irreparable damage to his spinal cord. As a result of this spinal cord injury, he is now paralyzed from the chest down.

As a former member of the US Air Force, Billy was able to finally be transferred to a VA Rehabilitation center in the Bronx that specializes in spinal cord injuries. This is where he is currently. He is receiving daily intensive physical and occupational therapy. In addition to that, he is being trained on how to use the electric wheelchair which he will be in. The goal from this rehabilitation is to get him strong enough to be as self-sufficient as possible.

On the other side of all of this, as soon as he was sent to rehab, it started the clock for the preparations that needed to be made at their house for him to be able to come home safely. They live in a high ranch, that needed to be completely modified for it to be wheelchair accessible.

The modifications include:

• An exterior wheelchair lift being installed

• The exterior doors being replaced to be wide enough for the chair

• All of the flooring to be replaced with vinyl for it to be level and easy to use the chair on

• The interior doors replaced to be wide enough for the chair

• The whole bathroom reconfigured & accessible

• The whole kitchen reconfigured & accessible

•Painting, spackling, etc.

Then, of course, with every 30+ year old

house, as we were doing these renovations, we ran into issues from age and wear & tear that had to be addressed. Such as roof & window leaks, and just countless other unexpected little things along the way.

In addition to the home modifications, we also are looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible van so that we are able to bring my father to doctor appointments, and to also help him (eventually) get back to living a normal life again in the future.

Lastly, the medical bills have already started to roll in. While, yes. He is getting assistance from medical insurance & the VA, there are many things that they do not cover. He will also need a lot of care when he does finally get home and they only offer so much- so the additional care will all have to be paid directly from them. He will need at home nursing care every day.

With all of this being explained, I will end it with this-

If you know my parents, you know that they are some of the best people you will ever meet. They are the type of people that would give the shirt off their back to help their family and friends. My Dad was a hard worker who owned a garage door company for over 30 years, and provided a nice, modest life for his family. And they are now in need of some help. So if they have ever opened their home to you on a holiday when you had no where else to go, bought you a beer when you were having a bad day, gave you a huge “Big Bill” hug, danced with you at the beach hut, invited you over for a party in the back yard, or have touched your life in your own special way- I am asking you to please help in any way that you can. The stress and financial burden that this has been put on them is overwhelming, and they are putting their pride to the side to ask your for help. And if you are unable to help financially, we ask you to at least pray for our family at this time. We can use them as well!

Thanks so much- we love you guys ❤️