Howie Bowman. Loving Father, Friend, & Counselor.

Hello everyone. My name is Andrea Bowman. My father in law is Howie Bowman. His actual name is Howard, but would rather go by Howie.

On October the 4th of 2023, my father in law had a terrible fall as he was going into Whataburger for lunch. He completely face planted shattering his left knee, banging up his left arm, and getting a really bad bump on his head along with a black eye. It's now January the 22. He was in and out of the hospital 3 times ( two different hospitals), and rehab 3 times. Had 4 different surgeries to repair his knee. Had some other set backs as well, like coming down with Covid while in rehab the second time, and some urinary issues. Poor guy has been through a lot.

He is still in the process of rehabbing, but from home. It's also been really hard mentally and emotionally for him. Something God has taught him as he has been getting older is to accept his New Normals as he refers to them. It's something for all of us to learn as we age. Things, and circumstances are going to change. So, we must change too. It's an opportunity for us to grow and mature.

Howie is 84 years old now, and has been really independent. He and we, his kids, would like him to be able to continue to be that way as long as possible. But, safely. His balance isn't the same anymore, and he's being encouraged to use a cane from now on. With that said, we have realized, and so had he that there are some changes that need to be made within his home. The first thing is to make it safer going up to his front door. He has steps. Our church is offering some funds to help, but it's not enough to make a permanent and safer structure / ramp with rails. We need a permit, and a contractor for it to be done properly.

The second thing would be to make going up and down to his hobby room safer. He has an older house, and the one car garage was closed in many years ago. He and my mother in law began using it as their hobby room after two of us girls married their boys. There are 2 big steps down, and no rails.

The 3ed big thing would be to make one of the two bathrooms more handicapped accessible. Walk in shower with rails and a built in seat would be great. These three things would make all the difference in the world to making it safer for him, and keeping him independent as long as he is able. By the way, his mind is still sharp. Although, maybe a bit fuzzy as he says at times. Which I think is from having to be under anesthesia 4 times in a short period.

So, with all this being said, if you could pass this on in order to help us raise the funds needed for the purpose of helping this wonderful human being who in turn has helped many in his lifetime, as a professional counselor, husband, father, friend, and man of God, it would be an amazing blessing.

Thank you,

Andrea Bowman and the entire Bowman family