Giving Back 2 Becky Benefit
Dear Family and Friends, As many of you may know, this past June marked the 5 year anniversary of Becky’s accident. In honor of Becky’s brave journey, we would like to invite you to join us for the 2013 Giving Back 2 Becky benefit to be held at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 West 115th Street, Merrionette Park, Illinois, on Saturday, November 9, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds raised will be donated to other families facing similar challenges in supporting loved ones with spinal cord injuries. We have all heard that life is precious and can change in an instant. That instant came for Becky on June 13 2008, when after returning home from an evening out, she tripped and hit her head near her front door. After the fall, Becky lay on the ground outside unable to move until the next morning when she was found. This tragic accident was so severe, it has rendered her a quadriplegic and has forever changed the course of the life she knew. Throughout the last five years, your unwavering support and encouragement have been the driving force that has pushed Becky beyond her limits and motivated her to create a “new normal” for herself. Despite her chronic pain and limited mobility, her compassion and empathy towards others has never faltered. She rarely complains, regardless of how difficult of a day she is having, and has always remained optimistic that tomorrow will be a better day. Becky’s stoic display of bravery and courage over the last past five years has been nothing short of inspiring. As is the case with many high level spinal cord injury patients, Becky’s immune system has been forever compromised by her injury and she will always be at risk for infections, blood clots, skin breakdowns, lung and breathing problems, fractures, muscle spasms and stroke. She will continue to face innumerable health and other challenges that will need to be closely monitored throughout her life. Through your generous donations in the past, Becky has been able to continue to live as independently as possible with the assistance of a power wheelchair, motorized exercise bicycle, a computer with specialized software, a wheelchair accessible van, and a 24-hour caregiver who helps Becky with bathing, daily transfers from her bed to her wheelchair, daily exercises, feeding her meals as well as helping her with every thing she needs to do and would like to do in a day, but is unable to perform on her own. Currently, Becky lives in Oak Lawn with her 24-hour caregiver and our mom who sadly has had her own health issues after suffering a heart attack and a stroke last year. Due to this unfortunate turn in our mom’s health, she is no longer able to help Becky with many of her day-to-day needs. While we are grateful Becky and our mom are still living as independently as possible, we are constantly plagued by the enormity of the medical and caregiving costs facing our family in taking care of Becky. Many of Becky’s expenses, including her 24-hour caregiver, are not covered by insurance. For the last five years, Becky’s annual expenses have far exceeded the amount she gets from the disability benefit she receives. Many of you were a part of the amazing benefit we had in March 2009, where over 1,200 people came out to offer their support which made it an incredible success. Unfortunately, the amazing generosity and kindness that was shown at the 2009 benefit and the 2011 GB2B Walk we held will only carry Becky so far. Due to her limited financial resources, continued financial support is needed to maintain her current quality of life and that is why we humbly ask for your support in making the 2013 Giving Back 2 Becky benefit a great success. We hope to see you there! Love, The Clifford Family