Ron's Medical Bills: Dementia
Donation protected
Hi everyone, and thanks for taking the time to read this. When I first met Ellie and Ron, I was struck by how much these two really love each other. They’ve been married for 42 years, and they’ve raised two sons together. They laugh and tease each other, and they hug often and hold hands – the affection between them makes you smile. They are one of my favorite couples. It’s rare to see love like that.
But Ron is in trouble – and Ellie needs help. Ron was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia a few months ago (after months of testing and hunting for answers).
It’s a terrible diagnosis – there is no cure, no treatment, and no way to slow or alter the course of the disease. Ellie is watching the man she loves so much fade away, little by little.
When I see Ellie these days, her eyes are red from crying and I can see the stress and the lack of sleep taking its toll. This is going to get worse, not better. She needs help, which is why I’m doing this campaign for her. Please know that every penny of this campaign goes directly to Ellie to help care for Ron.
Ron’s earliest symptoms were a shift in his personality. Can you imagine the husband you’ve loved for so long just suddenly not being himself? He has mood swings. He gets angry, or sad, or simply stops responding to the things he used to love (taking his dog for a walk, watching NASCAR races, laughing with his wife).
It’s heartbreaking. But it gets worse. Ron’s physical coordination is being affected now – his hands tremble, and he has difficulty walking. He needs help with lots of simple things – eating, shaving, bathing…and Ellie is constantly working to keep him safe. Ron doesn’t have the same sense of time – so he often wakes up in the middle of the night and wanders around the house. Ellie startles out of her sleep and gets up to make sure he’s ok.
That means she isn’t getting enough sleep – and that takes a toll. Especially because she can’t stop working at her full time job. Ron’s condition is only partially covered by insurance. There is no help for at-home care, and looking ahead they aren’t sure they will be able to pay for the progressively intense help he will need as his condition gets worse.
Ellie and her family are rotating ‘shifts’ but the burden is constant, and I’m desperately worried about Ellie. She needs some relief, or I’m afraid she is going to get sick.
I’m starting this GoFundMe to help on two levels – first, let’s get a Home Health Aid who can come to Ellie and Ron’s house twice a week for a few hours. That person can help with bathing and shaving Ron, as well as cooking him a nice lunch and keeping him company for a few hours so Ellie can catch her breath. Just that little break could really make a huge difference in Ellie’s life – it might keep her from burning out as she struggles to keep her head above water.
Down the road, she’s going to need more help. Frontotemporal Dementia is a progressive disease with no cure. Ron’s physical challenges will eventually require full-time care, a wheelchair, special equipment, and eventually he will need to be cared for in a specialty center. The stress and expense is overwhelming.
Can you please help? Give a little if you can, give a lot if you’re able….and please just share this around your social media. If we all come together, we can help my wonderful friend Ellie hang in there through the most heartbreaking thing she has ever had to deal with.
She’s still deeply in love with Ronnie…and I am so worried that she’ll burn out caring for him (and forgetting to care for herself!)…so please…let’s help her with a little love and support.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping this beautiful couple, and my dear friend. You are making a world of difference!!!
But Ron is in trouble – and Ellie needs help. Ron was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia a few months ago (after months of testing and hunting for answers).
It’s a terrible diagnosis – there is no cure, no treatment, and no way to slow or alter the course of the disease. Ellie is watching the man she loves so much fade away, little by little.
When I see Ellie these days, her eyes are red from crying and I can see the stress and the lack of sleep taking its toll. This is going to get worse, not better. She needs help, which is why I’m doing this campaign for her. Please know that every penny of this campaign goes directly to Ellie to help care for Ron.
Ron’s earliest symptoms were a shift in his personality. Can you imagine the husband you’ve loved for so long just suddenly not being himself? He has mood swings. He gets angry, or sad, or simply stops responding to the things he used to love (taking his dog for a walk, watching NASCAR races, laughing with his wife).
It’s heartbreaking. But it gets worse. Ron’s physical coordination is being affected now – his hands tremble, and he has difficulty walking. He needs help with lots of simple things – eating, shaving, bathing…and Ellie is constantly working to keep him safe. Ron doesn’t have the same sense of time – so he often wakes up in the middle of the night and wanders around the house. Ellie startles out of her sleep and gets up to make sure he’s ok.
That means she isn’t getting enough sleep – and that takes a toll. Especially because she can’t stop working at her full time job. Ron’s condition is only partially covered by insurance. There is no help for at-home care, and looking ahead they aren’t sure they will be able to pay for the progressively intense help he will need as his condition gets worse.
Ellie and her family are rotating ‘shifts’ but the burden is constant, and I’m desperately worried about Ellie. She needs some relief, or I’m afraid she is going to get sick.
I’m starting this GoFundMe to help on two levels – first, let’s get a Home Health Aid who can come to Ellie and Ron’s house twice a week for a few hours. That person can help with bathing and shaving Ron, as well as cooking him a nice lunch and keeping him company for a few hours so Ellie can catch her breath. Just that little break could really make a huge difference in Ellie’s life – it might keep her from burning out as she struggles to keep her head above water.
Down the road, she’s going to need more help. Frontotemporal Dementia is a progressive disease with no cure. Ron’s physical challenges will eventually require full-time care, a wheelchair, special equipment, and eventually he will need to be cared for in a specialty center. The stress and expense is overwhelming.
Can you please help? Give a little if you can, give a lot if you’re able….and please just share this around your social media. If we all come together, we can help my wonderful friend Ellie hang in there through the most heartbreaking thing she has ever had to deal with.
She’s still deeply in love with Ronnie…and I am so worried that she’ll burn out caring for him (and forgetting to care for herself!)…so please…let’s help her with a little love and support.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping this beautiful couple, and my dear friend. You are making a world of difference!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Jennifer Schunemann
Organizer
Concord, MA
Ellie Phillipo
Beneficiary