Help Kevin stay home

Please meet my Uncle Kevin K. Keyes (Kev), pictured here with his sister, Daisy. He turned 64 years old on 28Mar2023.

The day Kevin was born the doctor informed his parents that he would never walk, talk, or be “normal” because he had Down Syndrome. Like other amazing parents, they had faith, hope and love in their hearts. They rejected the doctor’s advice to put him in a home where others “like him” were raised, during that era. Instead, they chose to raise him in a loving home along with his sister and six brothers.

In this nurturing environment, Kevin thrived and infected everyone around him with his beautiful and comedic personality.

He learned to walk, talk, run, sing, swim, dance, and write his name and address. Kevin was also an athlete. He was flown to Michigan to participate in the Special Olympics under the care and oversight of the famous singer, Mac Davis. Kev even attended school at the Hurley School in Wall, NJ where he earned an honorary high school diploma from Manasquan High School. He also worked at the original Shop Rite Grocery Store in Wall, NJ on 18th Ave & Route 35 for many years.

As time went on, Kevin’s parents knew they would not be around forever. However, they wanted to ensure that Kevin would continue to be taken care of for the remainder of his life. So, they decided to set up a trust for him. Just as my grandparents desired, Kevin has been living in his sister's loving home for the last sixteen years. My mother and I have happily continued to be the primary care takers for Kev with newly appointed titles of legal guardians and trustees.

Over the recent years, Kevin has been declining mentally and physically. He's fully incontinent and has progressing dementia along with overall muscle weakening that has impacted his independence with walking, eating, and performing basic daily functions on his own. Fortunately, the family has been blessed with finding amazing Home Health Aide’s through a wonderful and supportive agency, Bayada Home Health Care.

Unfortunately, with the lasting effects of COVID, skyrocketing costs, along with the less than tolerable financial market, the trust investments which supported Kevin’s daily care did not fare well. Recently, the family has come to the realization that we can no longer afford to keep Kev’s standard of living including the home health aides at the same level without additional financial support. With deep thought and many discussions, we've decided to ask for financial support through creating a Go Fund Me trust on Kevin's behalf until his Medicaid application is approved and in effect.

Everyone who’s met Kevin instantly loves him and believes that he's lived so many more years than was expected due to the love and care his family and friends have surrounded him with throughout his. We know his life would end much sooner if he ever had to live anywhere without his family. Kevin is the most genuine, loving, and true person we know. Being one of the oldest surviving people with Down Syndrome, he is more than deserving to live his elder years feeling safe and loved, surrounded by his family as he has since birth.

Our family has calculated a total cost of approximately $13,000/month to continue Kevin’s standard of care and support in the home, which includes home health care aides, medical supplies (diapers, absorbency underpads, gloves, wipes), special food, toiletries, equipment, and more. Although Bayada has been extremely supportive and patient, we could no longer afford to keep the continue with the home health aides. Mom, me, family and friends ensure Kevin is taken care of 24/7, ensuring he's happy and healthy. Family and friends have been very giving with their time as well as providing some needed supplies, when able. But, these times are tight for everyone. We are in the process of applying for Medicaid, which will alleviate a good amount of this cost. However, it will take approximately three months for final approval following the completion of the application.

We pray that people will understand and contribute to this fund, set up to be in trust for Kevin for as long as we are blessed to have him in our lives. This GFM trust will be overseen by our lawyer with accounting for monies spent. When it’s time for our sweet Kevin to join his parents or the government services provide sufficient resources to lighten the physical and financial load currently carried by the family, any remaining GFM funds will be donated to the Monmouth County ARC (Association of Retarded Citizens), who has been such a wonderful resource for the family.

On behalf of Kevin, we thank you in advance for your wonderful generosity!

Sincerely,

Allison Gladden