Hello! We are Caresse and Ashley Jones, Derek Jones’ daughters. On October 29th, 2022, our dad had a massive brain stem stroke. Before this day, our dad was very independent. He was a retired chef; he could walk, talk, drive, shop, etc. This stroke has left him unable to do any of these things. Because your brain stem controls the involuntary body functions that we do not think about doing, like blinking, swallowing, etc. Our dad can’t swallow, eat/ drink, walk, talk, use the restroom on his own, or even breathe on his own. He’s been on a ventilator since the night of the stroke, now connected to the trach in his neck, as you can see in the picture.

Recently, our fathers heart stopped due to internal bleeding caused by a nurse who incorrectly placed a foley catheter, rupturing his kidney. Our father coded (heart stopped) for 16 minutes. During this time, no oxygen or blood flow went to his brain, and although they were able to get his heart back beating, his body is unable to keep his blood pressure up to a normal range on his own. He is still on the full support of a ventilator. He is unresponsive. 

Unfortunately, our father did not have a savings or a life insurance policy. We are currently unable to even cremate him, let alone give him a service. The funds we are asking for will help with this process. Hopefully we can raise enough to at least cremate him and spread his ashes. 

If you can give even the smallest amount, it will be helpful and appreciated.