Janet Sorrells

Dear friends, please allow me introduce the beautiful woman pictured above...she is is my sister-in-law, Janet Sorrells.  At 55, Janet is in the prime of her life, and she and my brother Jeff will have been married for 30 years come November.  Janet is a devoted mother, and has been a  long time government employee for over 30 years. She has devoted much of her adult life volunteering for her church,  helping those in need and giving back to the community.  Jeff, also 55,  has been employed for the past several years with The Arc, an organization devoted to assisting and bettering the lives of adults with disabilities. He's spent his time with The Arc serving as a mentor for countless autistic men, offering them friendship,  and helping them learn how to function as independent adults in the community. Janet and Jeff have 3 adult children, Christopher, Bridget, and Luke, and while they have enjoyed many years of happiness,  like the rest of us, they have also had to weather some trying times along the way. Because of the love they share for each other and for their children, they have managed to make it through these difficult times, and are as committed to each other as much today as they were on the day they took their vows.  Unfortunately, an unexpected tragedy has occurred that has cast uncertainty upon their future.

The date was May 20, 2018,  and our family and friends were gathered to celebrate the wedding of my niece, Emily.  The ceremony was beautiful, and went off without a hitch, however, just as the reception was getting underway, Janet began to feel ill.  She complained of numbness in her right arm, and was concerned to see that her fingers were  swollen.  Not wanting to imagine that there was  anything seriously wrong,  we all assumed that this was just a minor issue. However, to be on the safe side, the decision was made to call for an ambulance to take Janet to the hospital. By the time she was loaded onto the ambulance, the situation took a more serious turn, as the numbness had spread to the entire right side of her body.  The paramedics suspected that Janet was experiencing a stroke, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital with a special unit devoted to the treatment of stroke victims.  

At the hospital, a scan was done which confirmed our worst fears.  Janet had suffered a major hemorrhagic stroke, and her condition was grave.  Shortly after the diagnosis was made, she lost the ability to speak, and shortly thereafter, she lost consciousness as well.  The doctor explained to Jeff that her condition was critical, and that he should prepare himself for the worst.  It was touch and go for a while, but Janet fought hard and was able to survive that critical first week, shocking the doctors who had initially given her just a 10%-15% chance of survival.  While Janet has regained her ability to speak, she has been left paralyzed on the right side. She is unable to walk or care for herself, and requires round the clock supervision.

After several weeks in the hospital and  rehabilitation facility, Janet was released to come home on July 12.  As thrilled as we are to have her home, the reality of her situation has begun to sink in.  Jeff and Janet live in a modest colonial style home which is not equipped to accommodate a handicapped person. Since Janet is unable to manage stairs, Jeff was able to set up a bedroom of sorts in the dining room of their home.  While the room is comfortable enough, this is far from an ideal situation. Because there is not a full bath on the first floor,  the only means of bathing her is with a sponge bath. This living situation is manageable for now, but this is only a temporary solution.  Long term, they will need a home that's suitable to accommodate Janet's needs, so the decision has been made to ready their home for sale. 

At this point in time, the doctors are unable to speculate on how much mobility Janet will be able to regain.  Every stroke victim is unique, so there is really no way to know.  To maximize her recovery,  her doctors have recommended a rigorous rehabilitation program, including physical, occupational and speech therapies.  Fortunately, there is an excellent rehab facility close to their home, however, the cost of each session (after insurance) is $40. Considering that the doctors are recommending several therapy sessions a week, the cost will quickly add up.  Jeff has had to quit his job with The Arc in order to care for Janet, so they will be forced to get by solely on Janet's retirement income and social security.  

Janet and Jeff are not wealthy people. Unfortunate life circumstances have left them struggling financially, even before the stroke.  Now with their income having been cut, they will have to make do on much less.  It is urgent that Janet receive the therapy that's been prescribed for her if she hopes to regain her mobility, but they simply do not have the means to pay for it.  Additionally, they need to prepare their home for sale, which will require some minor cosmetic repairs, unaffordable to them under their present circumstances. 

The situation Janet and Jeff face is precarious, to say the least.  Already struggling to make ends meet, they are worried that they will not be able to afford the therapy Janet so desperately needs to get well.  With only one income to survive on, they also worry that they may fall behind on their mortgage and other bills.  These are two people who care deeply for others. Both have selflessly devoted so much time and effort to enriching the lives of others, without ever asking for anything in return.  My brother is a very humble man, who hates asking others for assistance, despite his penchant for reaching out to those in need.  If ever there was a couple deserving of help, it is Jeff and Janet. If you are able, please consider donating whatever you can to help my brother's family.  Every little bit helps, so even a small donation will be put to good use and will be much appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read Janet's story.  We are so grateful for any help you are able to give.