Stand with Terry: A Hero's Battle with Dementia

Hi my name is Linda and I’m fundraising for Terry.

Terry worked hard, volunteered and was on the mound during WTC assisting with removal of debris and recovered bodies.

Being a strong man he hurried to help whenever needed.

Sadly, he as many others, quietly suffered from the effects of 911. Working even harder, until he could no longer. Suffering from respiratory, vascular , reflux and memory loss. Diagnosed with Early Onset Progressive Alzheimers & Vascular Dementia. Terry remained home until I could no longer care for him in 2019. Choosing an appropriate Assisted living was extremely costly and left him with very little resources. I arrived every morning by 8 am and often took Terry out to our normal restaurants, fishing pier and other places he loved. Trying to keep normalcy. I was a fixture at the Assisted Living every day feeding him, entertaining him and keeping his spark alive until I would put him to bed and go home to eat, rest and start over the next day.

during COVID I was unable to see him or speak with him due to lockdown for well over a year. My heart broke, fearful He thought I abandoned him. In May of 2021 after a hospitalization he was sent to a rehab. He had severely declined but I still got him to smile and listen to his favorite music. He would not return home and was put on Medicaid, which took all of his income. Once able to visit, I did for hours most days. I handled all finances, medical decisions for his benefit. Now that the world returns to the new normal agency’s are billing for services from years before.

Astronomical unexpected bills that need to be paid or Terry could lose his Medicaid and be removed from the nursing home. I am hoping to help Terry meet his financial obligation by paying his debt to ensure he doesn’t lose access to the care he so desperately needs and deserves. If these bills aren’t paid there is a risk he could be evicted. I don’t know what will happen then!

thank you for helping this wonderful man who served his country and his town. He was a friend to many and loved by all he met. He would give you the shirt off his back and his last cent if you needed it, he now needs for himself what he would have done for you.

Thankfully,

Linda