Please help to keep Retired CPD Officer Jim O. at Home

Hi, I am Cathy O. , Jim O. 's wife. Jim was a Chicago Police Officer from 1977 until 2016, 39 years of service. Jim participated in a Special Operations Group designated for undercover work for which he was honored with numerous merits from CPD. He earned a second-degree black belt and taught self-defense classes in our community. Jim was an adjunct professor for the Criminal Justice program at our local Community College for 25 years. He worked six days on and two days off. On his day off, he rode the buses and city subway to help pay for our kids' education. He basically saw the kids four days a month. In the photo, Jim is in the center. That photo was taken when the Chicago Bulls won the championship.

During the last year Jim was on duty, he began to stutter. We had no idea what was going on. After five years of visiting numerous hospitals, Jim was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. We are now ten years into the illness and I am trying to keep him home and care for him. I have a caregiver for the hours I work, but care for him as soon as my work hours are over. The CNA outside of my work hours requests $250.00 per day. I do not want Jim in a rehab facility. We have tried this after his hospital stays and he always ends up with pneumonia, or ends up back at the hospital with more complications. At home, I am there to make sure things are running smoothly.

The GoFundMe request is to keep him home. But we are depleting most of his income. I am paying for all of his supplies, food, utilities, etc. At this time, Jim has a gall bladder tube and his pacemaker actually fell out of his chest and they surgically placed it back into the pocket without anesthesia. I wish I could add more photos so you can see him today. If at all possible, you can help cover some of the caregiver costs so I can give Jim the comfort he needs during these latter stages of this horrific disease. My deepest appreciation. Cathy O.