Libby Judge

12/5/24: A message from Libby:

I learned an important lesson recently, and that is to NEVER boast! A couple of months ago I was bragging about canceling my standing reservation at Chester County Hospital, since it had been almost a year since my last stay. A record I was proud of. Then bam! Just as Joe and I were preparing to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, I reclaimed my bed there. It was not exactly how we envisioned our landmark year.

I have been fortunate to have found a few Ukrainian women to come in to help me. Besides taking care of me, they follow my instructions in making dinners for my family.They are also able to take me to appointments and meet friends for lunch, dinner or a movie. Your past contributions have made all this possible.

A good portion of my time I spend going to the various sporting events following our 7 grandchildren, who range from 2 to 20. Who knew how riveting 6 year old girls soccer could be!

A highlight of this past year was an annual reunion weekend at the beach with childhood girlfriends. We went on a sunset cruise on the Delaware Bay. It was the first time being on a boat in 10 years. Never to be out done, Joe surprised me with a whale and dolphin watching cruise in Cape May later in the summer. Does life get any better than that?

Of course summer would not be complete without going to a Phillies game. It was exciting season until their disappointing loss to the New York Mets in the playoffs. We can only hope that our Eagles won’t let us down and will take us to the Super Bowl.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season filled with joy.

Libby

11/28/23 Dear Caring Community, On this Giving Tuesday, please read the heartfelt update on Libby’s health journey. Over the past two months, Libby has faced immense challenges, being hospitalized three times (each about a week long) due to a variety of illnesses. It’s been a difficult time for her, marked by moments of fear and significant suffering, while at the same time a sense of gratitude for to the Chester Country Hospital medical staff. Thankfully, she was able to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family in good health and has been feeling good since her last visit. With Christmas approaching, we hope this stays the case! Despite these hardships, your continued support has been a beacon of hope. Thanks to your generosity, Libby has received the ongoing, crucial care she needs from dedicated nurse aids. Your donations have played a vital role in helping her navigate these tough times with resilience and determination. As we reflect on the spirit of giving on this special day, we want to express our gratitude for the community that surrounds Libby. Your compassion and support have made a tangible difference in her life, providing comfort and assistance during moments of great need. Please consider contributing on this Giving Tuesday to ensure that Libby continues to receive the care and support essential for her well-being. Your generosity has already made a significant impact, and with your continued help, we can provide her with the resources to face the challenges ahead. Thank you for being a source of light in Libby’s life and for embodying the true spirit of Giving Tuesday.

Lastly, she loves hearing from you – feel free to leave a message on this site or send her an email at [email protected].

With heartfelt appreciation,

The Libby Judge Team

The Beginning:

As many of you already know, on Saturday, March 15, 2014, Libby experienced a traumatic car accident which left her with a C5, C6 spinal cord injury.

That same night, she was airlifted to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia where the doctors performed two surgeries: posterior and anterior fusions of C5 & C6 vertebrae. Both surgeries were successful in stabilizing her spine to prevent any further injury. Due to the location of her injury, Libby was paralyzed from the chest down, with some movement in her shoulders, biceps, triceps and wrists only.

Libby’s recovery involved a rigorous course of acute therapy at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, also in Philadelphia. It was a long road for Libby, however, with the love and support of family and friends, and with the grace of God, we knew it would not be a road traveled alone.

Even with insurance, Libby has had many uninsured injury-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, additional therapy, monthly medical supplies, caregiver expenses, home modifications and modified transportation to allow her access to her community, along with durable equipment — just to name a few. The CDC estimates that an individual living with a spinal cord injury will have between $500,000 and $3 million dollars in lifetime out-of-pocket expenses.

To help offset such expenses, a fundraising campaign in Libby’s honor was established with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 37 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by Help Hope Live, are held by Help Hope Live in the Mid-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for injury-related expenses only. If you would like to make a contribution please click on the GIVE button.

Thank you for your love, support, prayers and generosity during this time.

The Judge Family