Our brother Derrick needs our help

Hi, my name is Jenny, and my brother Thomas and I are fundraising to help out our brother, Derrick Maruski, who has been going through medical nightmares for years. Once things seemed on the upswing, fate jumped in and decided it would test Derrick again. But he is a fighter, and he will win this battle too.

Three years ago, Derrick had to have one of his legs amputated above-the-knee, after years of knee replacements, infections, dozens of surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and the list goes on and on. Through it all, his wife, Laurie, and their three girls, Marlee, Rylee, and Haylee, have been at his side, acting as his constant strength and uplifting presence. Derrick had become accustomed to life as an amputee, as much as one can anyway. As an employee with the Veterans Affairs Administration, Derrick, fortunately, was able to work from home. Life was getting back to a new normal for the family.

Then, a few weeks ago, Derrick suffered a fall. Although the fall caused minimal damage to his real leg, it was as a result of all the testing the hospital performed that a new infection was discovered in his real knee. So back under the knife he went. The knee replacement he had in that leg had to be removed and an antibiotic spacer inserted. This spacer will be in place for up to a year. During this time, he will have to wear an immobilizer brace and will be unable to bend his knee, leaving his artificial leg as his main support. At the end of this period, if no infection has returned, another knee replacement will be attempted. Derrick is now in an assisted living facility to learn how to best live with his one artificial leg and one immobile leg, a challenge to be sure. But Derrick is up to the challenge and he will overcome...with our help.

The VA is working closely with him to help him continue to work from home on a limited basis. As an online charter school teacher, Laurie had to leave her job to help with Derrick's care once his leg was amputated. With Derrick being the family's only source of income, their financial status is in extreme jeopardy until he can return to full-time work, hopefully.

Derrick and his family need our help. As a Navy veteran, he has served our country proudly. As the family breadwinner, he has served his family proudly. As a brother, he has been a constant source of strength and support for me. As a friend, he is one of the best. He still has strong friendships with several of his high school friends. His strong Christian beliefs and values have allowed him to keep the faith through these difficult times.

Please help my brother and me help the Maruski family. They will need assistance with everything from groceries and toiletries to the mortgage during Derrick's recovery. Medical costs are sure to be exorbitant as well.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Derrick's journey and for prayerfully considering donating to help the family get through this unfathomable season.