Help Bring Jerry Home!

I’m Kelsey, and I started this GoFundMe for a good man and an even better father, Gerald Shropp.

Jerry was diagnosed with diabetes and heart failure almost 16 years ago at age 61. He is now 77. 4 years ago he had his first leg amputated, and was determined, and strong willed enough that he bounced back from that, went home to live alone, and took care of himself and his animals on his land independently since then. His farm is where he has always loved being, with the company of his dog and horses. Unfortunately last September he was given the choice of “Life over Limb” because of more complications with his diabetes, and they had to amputate his second leg.

Jerry has been in a care facility in Morning Sun since the surgery in September, and has not been able to make it back to his trailor on his farm. He has seemed to have one hurdle after another trying hard to get home. The most recent and heartbreaking is that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, and told he had further damage to his heart. He has only 26% of his heart functioning and needs a pace maker.

At this time, he has declined treating the heart arrhythmia and cancer. After a long, tough conversation with his daughter and the doctor, they have come to the conclusion that it is best for him to think more of quality of life. He has fought hard through all of this, and he is simply tired of being in and out of hospitals. He has truly fought the good fight. 16 years ago he was told he would need a heart transplant or die from a damaged heart, but he has proved those words wrong, living independently for the last several years.

At this point in his life, he and the doctors agree that his quality of life is what they will focus on. With that being said, the only wish he has and the only desire his daughter, Corina has for him is to be able to go home to his dog, and his trailor where he can peacefully live the rest of his life (whether that be months or even a year). Getting him back home to where he wants to be as part of his last requests would mean everything to him and his family.

With that comes complications because his trailor is not handicap accessible, and not in the best living condition. He has friends and family willing to do some of the work to make this happen, but I know they will need help financially to make this happen completely.

I don’t know Jerry Schropp personally, but I know his daughter, and I know she got her big, giving heart from somewhere. From what I’ve been told about Jerry Schropp himself is that he would give his last to anyone! Let’s team up and help Corina and Jerry give him his last wishes.