Lori Going Mobile?!

I want to give you a brief idea of who Lori is and why I am asking as many of you who will, to add to this hope fund for her.

There is a new technology in town for those whose mobility is limited, which allows its users to stand and sit and move about their surroundings even though they cannot support their own weight naturally.


Wonderful and incredible, isn’t it! I’d love to help make such a gift of mobility available to my friend Lori—


--this friend who has stood with me through all of my own medical, emotional and spiritual trials.

Lori Stearns’ birthday is next month. She’ll have (gasp) 51 years behind her.



I can’t tease her too much about her age, though, being a full 6 months older than she is (and of course, many of you know how young 51 really is, don’t you *wink*).

When we were in college—about 30 years ago—a neurologist diagnosed Lori with “Probable Multiple Sclerosis”, as an explanation of her strange, sporadic numbness and pain.

She would sometimes be unable to use her hand to write (a true hindrance for a Social Work major with the typical accompanying load of documentation!).

Stalwart trooper that she is, Lori dealt with her symptoms on a first come, first serve basis, meanwhile living life with lots of gusto. One of her passions—especially spending 4 years in the arid (but beautiful) West Texas—was New England’s breathtaking foliage and soft green grass which could be walked on with bare feet and no callouses! And she was glad to return to it after earning her BS degree in Social Work.

After returning to Connecticut to begin her profession as a full time Social Worker, Lori experienced more of the symptoms which had led to that first doctor’s conclusion-- that she probably had MS. Many more visits to the neurologist ensued.



Meanwhile, up in New Hampshire there was a man whose own life circumstances would bring him to the same church related singles’ retreat that Lori and I would attend, that propitious Fall of 1994. That weekend would prove to provide an enormous source of strength and optimism for both Lori and this man, because a long search for love and marriage was satisfied. And without further ado (though with an undying I do) 29 year old Lori married her dream man, Herb.



In time, they added Grace to their little family and continued to enjoy life together, addressing Lori’s periodic symptoms as they occurred.

On March 13, 2009, Herb was laid off from his full time job because of lack of work at Prospect Machine Products, where he had been for 7 years.

Difficult as that was, Herb and Lori relied on their God and stayed positive.

They hadn’t known, at that point, where all this would lead, but they did know that they had God, each other, extended family on both sides, friends, and their church family for love and encouragement—come what may.

What a blessing to have all that! 

Of course, it doesn't stop there, though, as you know.

Lori’s symptoms, which had for years been relapsing-remitting (i.e. they would come and go) became increasingly scary, and debilitating.

Lori and Herb’s faith would be tested further a short time later, when Dr. Peter Wade at the Mandell Center of St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT delivered a well-founded diagnosis of Secondary Progressive MS. Grace was 7 years old.

So back to the birthday thing…

 You probably agree there's a lot of history packed into those 51 years…

Today, because Lori’s condition has declined to a point where she is limited to moving between her living room chair and her bedroom, she spends most of her day in one of two rooms of their home. She exercises with Herb’s assistance as her doctors prescribe, tries to eat healthfully, and is thankful for various technologies with which she can take care of her responsibilities.


I’m asking you to give if you can toward the purchase of a new (the invention is newly available, so they’re ALL new) TEK Robotic Mobilization Device, to offer Lori the basic pleasure of the personal independence most of us take for granted... each time we take a shower, walk to the car, or even go to the restroom.

My goal is the $25,000 needed for the equipment (You can see more info here). , plus $3000 to help pay bills that have become overwhelming, as Lori & her family rely on their fixed income.

P.S. Herb is not able to return to work because of his caregiving responsibilities and his own serious health issues. 

Will you help me? Let’s combine our means and help restore some of Lori’s long-lost sense of physical autonomy!

Every donation is appreciated, since our drops combined can fill the bucket!

Thanks to everyone for reading this and know that your prayers are appreciated as wel.