A Family in Need

My name is Suzy Sheridan, I’m an RN and work in home health. I recently had the pleasure of meeting a young man and his mother  when we admitted him to our service. His name is Allen Gaspard and his mother’s name is Glenda Gaspard (due to HIPAA regulations I have consents from both of them to use their real names and pictures for this posting).

Mother and son were both displaced from their home last year when Baton Rouge, LA and surrounding areas were devastated by all the flooding, where they and so many others lost their homes and everything they owned.

I decided to start this campaign for both of them so they could receive some help to start over and make a new home – but first I want to tell you their story because it involves more than just the flooding that has their lives turned upside down.

Allen is 31 years old and he was born with Spina Bifida. He has been chair and bed bound his entire life. His mother has cared for him at home since birth, but 2 years ago lost her husband, and Allen lost his father. Their lives were turned upside down at that time as well. Finances changed, benefits for Allen changed. Then less than one year after the father’s death, the flooding occurred in Baton Rouge. Then once again, their lives were turned upside down. They literally lost everything they owned including their home. Allen lost all his special needs medical equipment that was necessary for him to function properly.  They sat in water for hours before being rescued.  A wound that Allen had on his Cocyx, which was a the time a Stage III decubitus was now a Stage IV decubitus. For those that don’t know, a Stage IV is a wound deep enough to see bone.

They relocated to Tyler, TX where Allen was immediately placed in a hospital before being transferred to a long term care facility where he stayed for 3 months until his mother was able to find a place for them to live. Allen’s mom found an old church that was built in 1929, on a piece of land with two small mobile buildings, one on each side of the church that were used for storage for the church. The church was no longer being used and is actually falling apart. But it had the potential to be transformed into a home for her and Allen. Both of the buildings beside the church were each just one big room, with no bathroom or kitchen facilities. Allen’s uncle (Glenda’s brother), who is a general contractor, built them a temporary bathroom which basically had working plumbing and unfinished walls when he was done, but no electricity or a door and havn't been able to finish it yet.  They were hoping to start the remodel on the old church but havn't been able to because of finances and needing help to do the work.

To top it off, Glenda’s insurance company did an inspection on the property and has cancelled her coverage because the church is considered uninhabitable at the present time. They wouldn’t even cover just the small building they are living in. So now they have no home insurance to cover any future damage to anything on the property, which is heavily wooded.

Allen’s stage IV decubitus has continually gotten worse since relocating to Texas. His doctors tell them that  the bed he currently has is a big part of the problem. But, in Texas, Allen doesn’t seem to qualify for anything better under current Medicare/Medicaid guidelines.  At one time his doctors were going to perform a Flap Surgery but after months of IV antibiotics and the inability to stay on his side for any length of time, the doctors said he was no longer a candidate for this procedure, and was discharged home, to the same bed he was using before.

So, my goal here, is to tell their story in hopes that I can reach enough people to raise the money to buy that bed he so desperately needs to prevent further breakdown of his wound and also to help his mother get materials and help needed to make the old church building a livable home for them. Neither of these things is cheap by any means. The bed he needs cost $50,000 new , or $15-20,000 used. If the goal I have set is met, all other proceeds will go to make the old church into a home for the two of them, and allow them to have insurance coverage again.

I know there are still some good and caring people out there, and if we all band together we can make this happen. I know this would mean so so much to them, beyond measures.

It would mean so much to know that their needs have been met and that they have a home they can be comfortable in and begin making new memories.  

I want to thank everyone in advance that do donate and those that can't that wish they could, but send their best wishes and prayers for this family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I would also like to ask when your'e done reading this story please share it on your FaceBook page and help us spread the word to other's. Thanks so much!!

Suzy Sheridan