Rhonda + Mary (Gina) Emergency Support Fund
Donation protected
**Update as of 9/30/2019**
Friends & Family,
We are so thankful for all the ways community has rallied behind Mom, Mary and each of us over the last nearly three months. Mom spent 20 days at OHSU in Portland between Neuro ICU and the Stroke Unit. She then spent three weeks in a skilled nursing facility and three weeks at Good Sam Hospital's intensive rehab. It's been a packed few months as she has gone through this journey post stroke, we've navigated guardianship for her and Mary and a multitude of other big details!
Mom has made strong progress but still has a major long road of recovery ahead. Due to the incredible rehab she went through at Good Sam she is able to walk with a cane + assistance. While still very shaky on her feet, the right leg is minimally mobile. When not able to use a cane she is in a wheelchair, and will be for quite awhile. Sadly, the right arm/hand is very immobile and we do not know yet if that functioning will come back. Speech is severely impacted and while she is very aware the damage to the left side of her brain caused significant impact.
She was discharged to home with 24 hour family care on a temporary basis as we quality + cost evaluate the best next steps. She loves visiting her friends, listening to worship music and is razor sharp on directions while in the passenger seat.
Mary has had a huge few months adjusting to day to day life without mom, saying goodbye to her community and relocating to Seattle. Forever a light, she is in good spirits ( has her hard days for sure) but has loved being surrounded by sisters through it all. We're hopeful for the days ahead as she integrates into a new normal - but the support she needs emotionally, physically and practically are real!
Sincerely thankful for your generous support as navigate truly difficult days.
Suzanna
___________________________________
Dear Friends & Family,
Rhonda Rose, our loving mom and "Nana" to her granddaughter, is the single mother of five girls, has been a nurse for many, many years and is a faithful community member. She embodies the strongest grit and an equal measure of compassion for those that the world often overlooks. Right now, she’s in desperate need of community rallying and support.
On Thursday, July 4th our mother, Rhonda Rose (66 yrs old) suffered a severe Left MCA stroke. She was found collapsed in front of her apartment building, about to run an errand with her car running. Thankfully our little sister was with her and was able to catch the attention of a bystander who called 911. However, due to the severity of the situation Mary (Gina) and Rhonda were rushed to the hospital and it took many days for the family to understand all that took place, including where her car and house keys were located.
The last two weeks our family has been thrown into unimaginable decisions as our mom was in critical condition throughout the weekend of July 4th – the stroke severely damaging the left side of her brain (specifically the language center) impacting her ability to speak and comprehend language. The right side of her body was severely impacted, and it is not yet mobile, we hope that with intensive rehab she will regain some movement.
Our mom was also the full time caregiver of our 25-year-old sister, Mary (Gina) who has Downs Syndrome, long term medical needs and has experienced cognitive regression in the last few years. She is a delight, possesses the sweetest heart and is our great joy. She loves to belly dance, enjoy good food and listen to Miley Cyrus. But – at this point in her life requires full time care of which our mom can longer provide.
As the last two weeks have unfolded the staggering reality that faces our family has come into focus. The brutal honesty is that the needs ahead of us, we are unable to meet without extraordinary community support.
We thought we had more time as a family to navigate life and death decisions, guardianship and future plans for Mary (Gina) -- simply even of how to handle the multitude of needs associated with each in the event of an emergency.
In addition to Mom's medical situation and Mary's full time needs, every one of us is having to make immediate life adjustments to be available to support them both. Which we are committed to being present for, and to fully support these two women we love deeply. We're looking at a 6-8 week hard sprint as Mom is transferred to a skilled nursing facility and next steps for Mary are established. As we know more about Mom's long term progress, we will be implementing a transition to Seattle for Mom, Mary and Andrea - which will require time and resources as well.
Collectively, we have a very long road ahead and the medical and care needs of Rhonda and Mary are intensive. With what we’re facing this amount of money will begin to help alleviate the scope of the immediate and interim needs. We need your help to raise $60,000.
The funds raised will be directly given to family of Mary & Rhonda, as both will be appointed guardians for their care. Suzanna is being appointed the guardian for Mary and Andrea as the guardian for Mom (Rhonda). The family of Rhonda and Mary, with direct oversight of their newly established guardians, will be disbursing the funds raised towards the needs below.
Immediate costs: $25,000
- Primary caretaker transition(s): $2,210
- Legal assistance ($7,500)
- Guardianship for Mom + Mary ($5,000)
- Mom's Rent for August +September ($2,790)
- Monthly Bills Mom + Mary July/August ($1,000)
- Travel and expenses for extended and unexpected support (Julie, Suzanna, Andrea, Sarah) ($5,000)
- Family Trauma Counseling Support ($1,500)
Interim and future costs: starting at $35,000
**The disbursement of the funds raised towards the $35,000 will be allocated according to need for Mary and Rhonda.
Rhonda:
- Medical recovery expenses (Ongoing and TBD)
- Facilities and care (projected at 3-6 months of private pay for adult family home care): Approx: $36,000 at max.
**Mary (Gina)**
- Trauma Counseling (Equine Therapy for disability): $2,000
- Resettlement expenses to Seattle ($1,000)
- Full-time Interim caretaker expenses: $7,200
($30/hr for 30 hours per week - 2 months of support)
Thank you for coming alongside of us - we cannot even begin to express our gratitude.
<3, Suzanna, Julie, Andrea, Sarah
(Update as of 9/7/19)
*These funds will be disbursed to our brother in law, Chris Myers and his account, to be managed and distributed to the lead care managers within the family for Mom + Mary's care, supplies, medical equipment and to pay all bills associated with needs as listed above.
Friends & Family,
We are so thankful for all the ways community has rallied behind Mom, Mary and each of us over the last nearly three months. Mom spent 20 days at OHSU in Portland between Neuro ICU and the Stroke Unit. She then spent three weeks in a skilled nursing facility and three weeks at Good Sam Hospital's intensive rehab. It's been a packed few months as she has gone through this journey post stroke, we've navigated guardianship for her and Mary and a multitude of other big details!
Mom has made strong progress but still has a major long road of recovery ahead. Due to the incredible rehab she went through at Good Sam she is able to walk with a cane + assistance. While still very shaky on her feet, the right leg is minimally mobile. When not able to use a cane she is in a wheelchair, and will be for quite awhile. Sadly, the right arm/hand is very immobile and we do not know yet if that functioning will come back. Speech is severely impacted and while she is very aware the damage to the left side of her brain caused significant impact.
She was discharged to home with 24 hour family care on a temporary basis as we quality + cost evaluate the best next steps. She loves visiting her friends, listening to worship music and is razor sharp on directions while in the passenger seat.
Mary has had a huge few months adjusting to day to day life without mom, saying goodbye to her community and relocating to Seattle. Forever a light, she is in good spirits ( has her hard days for sure) but has loved being surrounded by sisters through it all. We're hopeful for the days ahead as she integrates into a new normal - but the support she needs emotionally, physically and practically are real!
Sincerely thankful for your generous support as navigate truly difficult days.
Suzanna
___________________________________
Dear Friends & Family,
Rhonda Rose, our loving mom and "Nana" to her granddaughter, is the single mother of five girls, has been a nurse for many, many years and is a faithful community member. She embodies the strongest grit and an equal measure of compassion for those that the world often overlooks. Right now, she’s in desperate need of community rallying and support.
On Thursday, July 4th our mother, Rhonda Rose (66 yrs old) suffered a severe Left MCA stroke. She was found collapsed in front of her apartment building, about to run an errand with her car running. Thankfully our little sister was with her and was able to catch the attention of a bystander who called 911. However, due to the severity of the situation Mary (Gina) and Rhonda were rushed to the hospital and it took many days for the family to understand all that took place, including where her car and house keys were located.
The last two weeks our family has been thrown into unimaginable decisions as our mom was in critical condition throughout the weekend of July 4th – the stroke severely damaging the left side of her brain (specifically the language center) impacting her ability to speak and comprehend language. The right side of her body was severely impacted, and it is not yet mobile, we hope that with intensive rehab she will regain some movement.
Our mom was also the full time caregiver of our 25-year-old sister, Mary (Gina) who has Downs Syndrome, long term medical needs and has experienced cognitive regression in the last few years. She is a delight, possesses the sweetest heart and is our great joy. She loves to belly dance, enjoy good food and listen to Miley Cyrus. But – at this point in her life requires full time care of which our mom can longer provide.
As the last two weeks have unfolded the staggering reality that faces our family has come into focus. The brutal honesty is that the needs ahead of us, we are unable to meet without extraordinary community support.
We thought we had more time as a family to navigate life and death decisions, guardianship and future plans for Mary (Gina) -- simply even of how to handle the multitude of needs associated with each in the event of an emergency.
In addition to Mom's medical situation and Mary's full time needs, every one of us is having to make immediate life adjustments to be available to support them both. Which we are committed to being present for, and to fully support these two women we love deeply. We're looking at a 6-8 week hard sprint as Mom is transferred to a skilled nursing facility and next steps for Mary are established. As we know more about Mom's long term progress, we will be implementing a transition to Seattle for Mom, Mary and Andrea - which will require time and resources as well.
Collectively, we have a very long road ahead and the medical and care needs of Rhonda and Mary are intensive. With what we’re facing this amount of money will begin to help alleviate the scope of the immediate and interim needs. We need your help to raise $60,000.
The funds raised will be directly given to family of Mary & Rhonda, as both will be appointed guardians for their care. Suzanna is being appointed the guardian for Mary and Andrea as the guardian for Mom (Rhonda). The family of Rhonda and Mary, with direct oversight of their newly established guardians, will be disbursing the funds raised towards the needs below.
Immediate costs: $25,000
- Primary caretaker transition(s): $2,210
- Legal assistance ($7,500)
- Guardianship for Mom + Mary ($5,000)
- Mom's Rent for August +September ($2,790)
- Monthly Bills Mom + Mary July/August ($1,000)
- Travel and expenses for extended and unexpected support (Julie, Suzanna, Andrea, Sarah) ($5,000)
- Family Trauma Counseling Support ($1,500)
Interim and future costs: starting at $35,000
**The disbursement of the funds raised towards the $35,000 will be allocated according to need for Mary and Rhonda.
Rhonda:
- Medical recovery expenses (Ongoing and TBD)
- Facilities and care (projected at 3-6 months of private pay for adult family home care): Approx: $36,000 at max.
**Mary (Gina)**
- Trauma Counseling (Equine Therapy for disability): $2,000
- Resettlement expenses to Seattle ($1,000)
- Full-time Interim caretaker expenses: $7,200
($30/hr for 30 hours per week - 2 months of support)
Thank you for coming alongside of us - we cannot even begin to express our gratitude.
<3, Suzanna, Julie, Andrea, Sarah
(Update as of 9/7/19)
*These funds will be disbursed to our brother in law, Chris Myers and his account, to be managed and distributed to the lead care managers within the family for Mom + Mary's care, supplies, medical equipment and to pay all bills associated with needs as listed above.
Fundraising team (5)
Lauren Elizabeth
Organizer
Portland, OR
Christopher Myers
Beneficiary
Suzanna Hendricks
Team member
Bryan Funk
Team member
Sarah Ward
Team member
Lindsey Williams
Team member