Help Chris Meadows!

Hey everyone. It’s Jonathan Alexander, Bert Warner, John Hurley, Flynn O’Daniel and Andy and Kris Wittgen. The six of us recently took a road trip to Winston Salem, NC. The purpose of our trip was to visit our dear friend Chris Meadows who celebrated his 51st birthday. Chris has been suffering through some significant health issues over the last several years and his condition has deteriorated to the point that he can not care for himself. He was in good spirits and still had some of that Meadows attitude that we are all familiar with, but right now Chris and his wife Amy need our help. We are setting up a Go Fund Me to assist them with much needed upgrades to their house to make it more handicap accessible, as well for the ongoing medical costs and at home care that they desperately need. Amy’s love for Chris is undeniable and she has been doing an inspiring job trying to handle all the requirements needed for Chris’ care, but we have dear friends in need and we hope that you will join us in supporting the Meadows during this difficult time.

 

Here is a letter Amy wanted us to share with everyone:

 

Hello All,

My name is Amy Meadows. Chris and I met in 2014 in Bryson City, NC and got married in a small ceremony in 2017. I know I haven’t met many of you as Chris and I have moved around quite a bit as I am employed as a traveling nurse. I know that Chris has been a good friend to many people over the years and I am writing to update you all on his health. Some of you may know that Chris’ father (Larry) suffered from neurodegenerative disease that was identified as Alzheimer’s and that it is often hereditary. Chris contracted Lymes disease from a tick bite in 2017 that has started a cascade of neurological deterioration that we have been to be unable to stop. His medical team has not been able to isolate a specific diagnosis for his medical issues, but in the last year Chris has had more and more weakness and less control of his muscles and speech. His symptoms are what you would expect to see in an Alzheimer’s patient that have likely been exasperated by Lymes disease.

 

Chris is currently in a wheelchair and depends on others to help him move around and function. He can’t stand or walk and has limited ability to use his arms and hands. His speech has also been affected and he is largely unable to communicate. He can understand what is being said but can’t speak in sentences. His care requires for him to be fed as he can’t feed himself. In summary, he is 100% dependent on others to care for him.

 

In April 2021 we moved into a house. The house is an older home and is limited in the way of handicapped accessibility. We do have an entrance ramp (yeah)! Our biggest challenge is that it is very difficult to get Chris in and out of the shower/tub. We are having to utilize a pivot lift in order to do so, but that is a temporary solution. We need to make some immediate modifications to the house and provide the care Chris requires. I am writing to request that anyone who can help financially or wants to donate time/supplies or whatever they can so that we can remodel the bathroom, modify some other items in the house and make some minor repairs/maintenance to our home. It is not my nature to ask for help, but we need it and have been encouraged by some recent visits by Chris’ friends to let everyone know about his condition.

 

To anyone who has ever known Chris Meadows, I am thankful for your support and help during this time. Even if you can’t donate- thank you for being a part of his life, and you are welcome to send any stories and memories of him (pics also welcome). I am aware of his reputation of being quite a character before I met him and would love to hear stories of your life with my beloved Chris.

 

Thank you for your friendship and help-

Chris and Amy Meadows