Stede and I recently had an email conversation about the recovery process – and how after the drama of the early events has faded, it’s easy for those not intimately involved in the process to feel the relief of “Phew, that’s over!” But often, it’s not over at all. The next stage is much longer, and can be equally challenging, but in different ways. Stede asked me to share my personal experience here, and I am happy to.

I broke my back 4 years ago. The first three months were high drama: two spinal surgeries, wheelchairs, walkers, braces, rehab and painkillers. They were also high expense, as you can imagine. We had been airlifted from a southern Caribbean island where we were sailing, to Philadelphia, so after 3 weeks in the hospital, we had almost 3 months of living & medical expenses plus the stress of living in a hotel in a “strange” city. We had an amazing community of people opening themselves to us during these trying times in every possible way, with an astonishing level of unconditional loving and service. We were blessed. We thrived.

Fortunately, when we were able to leave Philadelphia for Santa Barbara for the next stage of recovery, the nondramatic stage, we remained blessed by people who also extended themselves to us with unconditional loving and service. I think only those very close to me could see how much a struggle daily life was during this stage, but people in the community and friends and friends of friends from around the world chipped in with all kinds of means of making life easier for us. It was a 9-month process before we were able to leave and live “normal lives” on our own, and the support never let down.

I can’t imagine how I would have made it through that year without the close involvement and generosity of so many gorgeous souls. I know that Stede too has a beautiful network of beautiful souls loving her and supporting her. I know that she will thrive with your loving however you extend it. I also know that the expenses of an extended recovery are likely to be well beyond what anyone would expect or would find reasonable. So if you find it in your heart to contribute to Stede financially, that would be glorious. And ANY way you extend your love to her will make a world of difference.

Thank you for loving our precious Stede.