05/01/2017
Learn more about our 2017 recipients (and click the button to go to our website for further information):
Emily Armstrong is 17, and lives with her mother and four sisters (one is away at college) in the Wassergass Area of Lower Saucon Township. Emily was born with cognitive disabilities, but was an active and otherwise healthy young lady. Then, in 2015, a severe stomach ailment sent her to Grand View Hospital where she suffered an attack of sepsis, pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest that left her mostly unresponsive and on a ventilator – a vegetative state, to use a common term. Her mother, Lisa, and sisters were determined, however, to care for Emily at home and that’s what they were doing in September of 2016 when a fire destroyed their home in Springfield Township. The Armstrongs got out without injury, Lisa having to disconnect Emily’s ventilator and carry her out to the front lawn. Insurance has provided for their current rental residence while their home is being rebuilt, hopefully by summer of 2017. Then, in January, another setback: Lisa was told she has breast cancer and at present is making decisions regarding chemotherapy or other treatment. The family’s primary material need, in addition to sometimes falling behind on bills, is a used van with a power lift or other wheelchair capable equipment. “We so want to be able to do things as a family,” Lisa explains.
Lots of people in the Coopersburg-Quakertown area know Donna Desautels. For about the last 15 years, she was the smiling, efficient server who brought them food at Ecco Domani Restaurant, and, before that, at the Pizza Hut in Quakertown. But, in October 2015, Donna suffered a severe headache while at work and went to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm. She was hospitalized for months, undergoing a series of surgeries and physical therapy. She went home in January 2016 and three days later, fell and broke her hip. Back home again, she fell once more, this time hitting her head and suffering a massive brain bleed. The staff at Lehigh Valley Hospital started to tell her husband, John, and other family that there was no hope, but John insisted on seeing Donna immediately, took her hand, and felt her squeeze in response to his words. She slowly recovered and after more therapy, is at home in Center Valley. Donna still gets extensive therapy and the family needs help to afford the 24/7 care that Donna must have.
Jeanine Greco suffers from severe multiple sclerosis. So severe is her condition that she is essentially bed-ridden, a result that has led to complications, including bed sores and pulmonary emboli. She is getting palliative care and has regular Visiting Nurse care. The rest of the time, her family members are the care-givers. Jeanine’s family has relocated to the home of her mother in the Quakertown area. Her bed is in the living room of the home that she also shares with husband Tom and two children, 9 and 13. Tom is a minister at Bread of Life Church in Quakertown. The family would like to get some kind of motorized chair to allow Jeanine to get around when her health permits it.
