The "Hope for Hayden" fund has raised $14,240.
Received this update yesterday:
Update:
11.19.13 Update
Greetings,
Although many of you are following Hayden's progress day-to-day on Linda's facebook page, I wanted to also send an email to thank you for your messages, prayers, and contributions. We were able to send a check to Linda to cover her $10,000 insurance deductible, but need another $15,000 for future costs related to transportation, physical therapy, living expenses, and ongoing medical care for Hayden. Let's keep it going! The fundraiser page will stay active through the end of the year, please share it with as many others as you can. Through your efforts, the word has spread, the fund has grown, and hope has prevailed.
As of today, Linda is still waiting for Hayden's NY hospital l team to approve him for PT. This is wonderful news, for nearly a month a very bright and busy young man has only left his hospital bed to be brought in and out of surgery. However, this also presents a whole new set of challenges. Insurance did not approve a medical flight from NY back to TX. Linda has had to beg and borrow funds to buy commerical airline tickets for Hayden, a nurse, and herself. A commercial flight has not yet been "cleared for takeoff" by Hayden's doctors. It's a day-to-day, moment-to-moment, difficult existence. Linda handles all of this with grace and gratitude, but I'm not buying it. We all have our limits. Even Wonder Woman must feel overwhelmed at times. Linda is AMAZING, but her situation is DEVASTATING on many levels.
Adding to the emotional burden are the ever-present and ever-increasing financial concerns. Linda left her long-time position less than a year ago to begin a new job, and does not have full employee benefits. She does not qualify for leave. She also has no accrued sick time. She has not earned income for the last month, staying by Hayden's bedside to be his voice while he has none, and make gut-wrenching parental decisions that will alter the course of his life. Anyone with a parent or child whom they care for, knows what a struggle this can be under "normal" conditions. I can only imagine what it must feel like for Linda, torn between two sons who need her, are 2,000 miles apart, and in two very different places in their lives. Yet she manages to smile, be thankful, and express her concern for others.
Please continue to share the facebook page:
and the fundraiser page: with as many people as you can.
So much support has come from complete strangers, who have been moved by this story, but the story is far from over. Be part of the next chapter and stay tuned for more miracles.
Best,
Amy
