Keith's Ongoing Dilema

[Stephanie Crawford Crump-Faber]

September 10 , 2011

Dear Family,

 

It is with a great sense of humility that I write this letter.  Most of us can relate to or remember a time when everything seemed to go bad all at once.  For those who have not I pray that you never do. Unfortunately, my brother, Keith, is living under extraordinarily difficult and unmanageable circumstances.  

 

It began in June 2009 when he was “rear ended” while driving on the LIE on his way to visit dad at the Veterans Cemetery.  His vehicle was totaled, and he suffered a very serious neck injury for which the doctor immediately recommended surgery.  Keith initially declined the surgery because he simply could not afford to be out from work.  Another reason is that he did not want to go through another major surgery (he had spinal fusion surgery at age 17).  This injury is a herniation to the discs in his cervical spine (neck) around the C2-C4 Level.  For anyone who has any medical knowledge, that means if that area of his neck is injured in any way, it could result in paralysis, complete paralysis, breathing tube paralysis.

 

As if that wasn’t enough pressure, in November 2010, he sustained another injury.  This injury was a tear to the rotator cuff in his shoulder.   Sadly, Keith had to have the shoulder operated on twice because the doctors did not fix the problem the first time.  The injury occurred at work and ultimately will be compensated through Worker’s Comp but he is now saddled with additional neurological (nerve) damage to his arm and hand.

 

In early July 2011, Keith was informed by his doctor that he MUST have the neck surgery soon because the rupture is getting worse and his time is running out. 

 

I am appealing to all of the family to help Keith in any financial way you are able. 

 

He has not been able to work during the majority of the past 11months; so he has no income (other than a small allowance from Workers Comp.), no health insurance, no savings, no car and soon, no place to live.  What he does have is a young son, Khayeef, age 17, still in school and growing every day.  He has two legal cases pending, (one through his auto insurance, and one through Worker’s Compensation.)

 

I told my brother the first thing he should do is to keep praying.  After that I told him I would write this letter to family and see how that helps.  I also gave him some support for how he might be able to off-set some of the costs associated with a growing child and most importantly, get him the medical treatment he needs.  Fortunately, it looks like his neck surgery might be covered under his ‘No-Fault’. 

 

In the meantime, he needs as much financial support that we can give him.  I don’t know how else to help.  I thought of family first because that’s what we were taught. 

If you are able to help financially, please contact:

 

Keith by mail:    27 Gregory Avenue                 OR       Stephanie

               West Orange, NJ  07052                  818-704-9336 (hone)

                            1-973-207-1767                              818-632-9336 (call)

 

I am listed as a contact in the event you are unable to reach Keith.