Tom Watson Medical Fund
While in class at the University of Dayton on March 17, 2005, Tom suffered a near-fatal massive brain-stem STROKE. The neurosurgical team at Miami Valley Hospital did not expect Tom to live through the weekend, and if he did survive, they expected him to be a quadriplegic. Despite these dire predictions, Tom has made amazing progress: relearning to walk, feed himself, write, and eventually drive. While struggling to regain the skills he lost, he also had to work to complete his degree in Visual Communications/Design at the University of Dayton, which included the class work that was interrupted by the stroke.
The purpose of this medical fund is to assist Tom Watson in paying his medical debt.
While recovering artistically and physically, one of the most daunting obstacles has been the ever-increasing medical debt. This was made all the more frustrating by the repeated denials of appeals to Medicaid and Social Security/Disability, dragged out over the past year and a half while the various medical bills have been turned over to collection agencies. Thanks to your contributions and support, the burden will be lightened.
All donations are greatly appreciated and will go directly to Tom’s outstanding medical debt. Donations can be made to the Tom Watson Medical Fund online through PayPal here, as well as at the benefit shows that have been taking place since July 2006.
Tom's Personal Day of Infamy memoir
Contact or learn more about Tom Watson
Donations to Tom Watson Medical Fund are not tax-deductible. Tom Watson Medical Fund is not affiiated with Catherine J. Snow Stroke Foundation.
Angel Susan
3/27/07: I met Susan just one week ago. This wonderful and loving brave lady had a profound effect on me in the few days I was blessed to know her. As a stroke survivor and cancer survivor, she was beautifully inspirational to everyone who had the privilege to meet her. Susan's genuineness and upbeat attitude and her determination to beat her cancer deeply touched so many people in her life as well as the friends she met here through myspace.
On Sunday March 25th this wonderful angel Susan lost her battle. Susan's husband Terry and her family would like to make arrangements to have Susan laid to rest but due to financial difficulties her services have been put on hold until the family can come up with the money to do so.
Susan's sister has set up a PayPal page to accept donations. Please find it in your heart and come forward if possible to make some kind of a donation to help this family out. Any amount will help and is greatly appreciated. Click on Susan's photo or this link: Susan's Memorial Donation Fund and follow steps on paypal page in MEMORY OF SUSAN (aka Heaven_Scent).
Thanks in advance for your support and your kind thoughtfulness to this wonderful family.
My sincerest condolences and prayers to Terry, Susan's children and her family and friends.
Thank you Anthony and Amy for introducing me to this amazing lady who has given so many people, including me, a lifetime of inspiration.
Donations to Susan's Memorial Donation Fund are not tax-deductible. Susan's Memorial Donation Fund is not affiiated with Catherine J. Snow Stroke Foundation.
I'd like to meet:
Please learn The Warning Signs of Stroke!
Music:
When you have a chance, please check out our most recent accomplishment at Cathy's Foundation ...
It's been a long time in the making and we're very proud to finally release it. It's available for purchase now, however the 'offical' release will be June 12th, to celebrate the 2-year anniversary of the day Marcia Washousky, Gypsy Dave's mom, fought back and survived a massive hemorrhagic stroke. As always, thank you to everyone so very much for your support.
Movies:
Stroke Warning Signs
Stroke is a medical emergency. The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Other danger signs that may occur include double vision, drowsiness, and nausea or vomiting.
Warning signs are clues your body sends that your brain is not receiving enough oxygen. If you observe one or more of these signs of a stroke or "brain attack," don't wait, call 911 or emergency medical services and get to a hospital right away!
Women Can Have Unique Warning Signs
Women may have additional unique symptoms:
• Sudden face and arm or leg pain
• Sudden hiccups
• Sudden nausea
• Sudden tiredness
• Sudden chest pain
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Sudden pounding or racing heartbeat
Warning Signs In Children
The symptoms of stroke in children are different from those in adults and young adults. A child experiencing a stroke may have:
• Seizures
• Sudden loss of speech
• Loss of expressive language, including body language and gestures
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Paralysis on one side of the body
• Impairment of speech
• Convulsions
• Headache
• Fever
It is a medical emergency when a child shows any of these symptoms.
Heroes:
My mom, whose life was taken by a stroke, stroke survivors, stroke advocates, everyone who has been affected by stroke and everyone want to make changes in stroke health!
Here are some great organizations working to improve stroke health and survivorship. To find out more about any of them, click on the logo to go directly to their website.
Modifiable Risk Factors
The most important treatable conditions linked to stroke are:
• High blood pressure. Treat it. Eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise to reduce blood pressure. Drugs are also available.
• Cigarette smoking. Quit. Medical help is available to help quit.
• Heart disease. Manage it. Your doctor can treat your heart disease and may prescribe medication to help prevent the formation of clots. If you are over 50, NINDS scientists believe you and your doctor should make a decision about aspirin therapy.
• Diabetes. Control it. Treatment can delay complications that increase the risk of stroke.
• Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Seek help. TIAs are small strokes that last only for a few minutes or hours. They should never be ignored and can be treated with drugs or surgery.
STROKE PREVENTION IS STILL THE BEST MEDICINE!
