Hello Friends and friends of friends, near and far, I am starting this fundraiser as I don't have what is needed to support Michael in his recovery from a spinal fracture. Michael had a stroke in July of 2024, and for the past two years, with help from many of you, I have supported him to make great strides in re-gaining his ability to walk, speak and even drive. He has been the most diligent and committed patient, doing all his exercises daily and taking all his supplements, eating well and being a wonderful Dad to three young children in whatever way he could. He has taught them about pictures and cameras and gadgets and all kinds of tinkering and research - ways of thinking which he was always so commited to in his problem-solving for the many years he worked in event production and video production all over the world. Michael had his first fall a few weeks shy of two years since his stroke. For several days, we thought it was just muscle damage, but the pain would not diminish at all, even with strong painkillers. He couldn't sit up without help, and suddenly could barely walk with a walker. He began to be very childlike, unable to decide anything as he was overwhelmed with pain. We got a CT scan and discovered that he broke his L1 vertebrae - a significant 60% height loss in his disc - and damage to other vertebrae too. It has been an exhausting fight to get him into spinal surgery, but it finally happened on August 11th. Now he hs home and the patience and space for healing is needed. Can you help me help him get what he needs to continue enjoying his life? He needs therapy - physical therapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy and support at home for personal daily tasks. If we can, he will even have hydrotherapy at home. He is a slim guy these days at just 155lbs, but I know it is beyond me to be able to do it all, as well as work, as well as be present as a mother to our children, as well as prioritize having time for myself. The kids are great help, but they are still small people, and cannot help Daddy safely get from A to B. They certainly help keep his spirits up, so he laughs a lot which is wonderful. Some people believe everyone has a special gift in life. I know that for so many years, Michael's amazing gifts with photography and filming were enjoyed by many, all around the world. Those were exceptional gifts. He still sees the world with those eyes, and I am always fascinated to see his visual perspective. Personally, I have always wondered what exactly my own gifts are - they seem to be less specific, and ebb and flow as I grow. But I am honored to do this, to be the person, the wife, the mother of his children, the one who helps him make the best of this phase of his life. This picture was taken just a few days before his fall - he is about to take a picture of the kids. We visited a botanic garden and nursery and he only needed a cane to get around. It was a lovely visit, and I look forward to the day he can once again cook delicious Indian food, and get around independently again! Thank you for reading, and any support will be gratefully put towards supporting Michael to have a sustainably good quality of life while he recovers.
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