Tom Reiley

November 15th, 2014 began a journey that my loving husband, Tom Reiley in his wildest dreams could have never imagined. It seemed, one moment Tom was living his life normally and the next minute he could not move. Tom had developed near full-body paralysis because of a severe spinal cord infection, meningitis, with a brain abscess. With God, a top-notch brain surgeon and the staff at a premiere neurological hospital on his side, Tom beat the odds and survived. The effects of the spine infection and surgery though, have left him with immobilizing weakness on the right side of his body and extreme weakness on the left side.

Tom’s doctors are optimistic that he will make a full recovery. We are aware that this is a long journey and Tom is working hard every day through inpatient therapy. He remains upbeat, optimistic and eagerly anticipates returning to an active life through the support of family, friends, community and church fellowship.

Even with insurance there are many expenses we are facing that must be paid out of pocket. Currently, Tom uses a power wheelchair to move about. It is only one of many pieces of expensive equipment needed to support him now. Some other costs will be modifications to our home to make it wheel chair accessible, vehicle modifications, additional rehabilitative therapies, adaptive equipment and assistance with Tom’s care so I can continue to work and provide for the family.

To help with the financial burden of Tom’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Mid-Atlantic Catastrophic Illness Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for illness-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution. Click on the Donate Now button to make a donation.

On behalf of Tom, myself and our family, we thank you for your kindness, generosity, support and prayers.

Diane Reiley

For questions please call Cheryl Troilo (sister-in-law) at 484-264-5555 or email [email protected]