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Hello all you loving, beautiful people. It’s been TWO YEARS since my first debilitating surgery, the 4 other surgeries, 4 hospitals, two rehab facilities, and a transitional care (nursing home!!!) facility. I thought I should check in with you, personally. Two years is so hard to comprehend. It’s like the world stopped in some kind of time warp and I am just coming out of it’s dark cave. I am finally feeling like my personal strength and direction is coming back to me…in a new format. We sold our house and bought a more accessible house that we hope to be moving to in a few weeks, after modifications are completed. Thanks to so many wonderful donations, we were able to buy a wheelchair accessible van and pay for some caregiving for me.

We came to a critical realization over the last year …caregiving companies charge a huge amount of money and we have watched our savings and small retirement dwindle to almost nothing. This has been a painfully rude awakening on many levels. Who would have ever thought this shocking medical disaster would happen? Who could have planned well enough for it? We, unfortunately did not. And this has now become a harsh reality for both Dean and myself. The reality is that we did not plan for a situation such as this.

Currently I have a caregiver during the day for four days. Dean has been my primary caregiver overnight and two and a half days a week. Finding the balance in providing quality care that’s affordable is critical to helping gain more strength and independence. The understanding is the fact that I will always need a caregiver for the rest of my life; with luck, not full days, but partial days. I am positive of this. A challenging thought, for sure. And personally, I fear for Dean’s health through all of this.

Here’s a bit of a quote from a very dear friend who honors me with her kind words:

Have you been shopping in downtown Sonora? To the farmer’s market on Saturdays? Have you visited any of the small towns in Tuolumne County? If your answer is YES, then you’ve seen some of Judy’s contributions to our community. Judy has been an accomplished sign painter , mural artist, and graphic designer via her business JG Signs and Designs in Tuolumne County for over 35 years. Her signature is everywhere in the county.

Judy started the wine and paint business in Tuolumne County with the creation of Brush & Cork, teaching our small community to not be afraid to put brush to canvas. At Brush & Cork, Judy always used to say “this isn’t a class it’s a party” and there was always infectious laughter at her paint parties. She has brought the beauty and colors of the rainbow to our community.

Amazingly, towns and communities across the country have been touched by Judy’s colorful personality and artwork. Since 2006, she has dedicated a week every year to travel to small towns across the country working in tandem with other sign and mural artists to bring beauty via art to their community. Most of it as an unpaid volunteer.”

How will donations help?

1. Upkeep of the accessible van.
2. Financial help to continue visits by caregivers, providing Judy the ability to remain at home as she continues to build her strength and giving Dean much needed rest and caregiving assistance

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Judy has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!