Tom Bell Recovery Fund

I know many of you are aware that my very best friend and her family suffered a significant set back this year, right as all of us encountered an unprecedented pandemic shut down.  On March 24, 2020, Mary Jo Bell’s husband, Tom, fell victim to his first of 4 Ischemic strokes.  In April, Tom suffered a heart attack and an additional 3 more strokes.  For anyone that knows Tom, his love of a good debate, expressing his unique humor on social media and his zest to compete for the win of a sale defined his personality. To lose any of this ability causes him great angst, sadness, and at times, defeat.   His situation is something all that are close to him also experience.  

Tom’s emotional and mental losses are compounded by his inability to continue to provide as the primary income source for his family. Tom’s position as a partner with Priority One Payments has been placed on an indefinite hold.  He has applied for disability, but it could take several more months before he is approved to start receiving replacement income to support his family. 

Mary Jo has had to leave her deeply loved position at Wet Paws to care full time for her husband. Their daily schedule to help Tom gain as much of himself back as possible is demanding, traveling hours away for various speech, therapy and medical specialist appointments.  

The recovery, healing and new strength and skills the whole family has had to learn to redefine their new future is not for the faint of heart. There are many times when they and those that love them fight with each other and want to give up.  But in the end, this is a family that loves hard and deeply loves Tom, and we love them, and we want to see him fully recover.  

Anything you can do to help this family bridge the gap between now and future sustainable income is greatly appreciated.