[Cinci-nfb] FW: update status on Bob Marquardt

Wed Dec 24 12:58:20 UTC 2014

Deborah.

Thanks so much for sharing Lisa’s email with the NFB Chapter list. As you mentioned, Bob was such a vital part of the NFB Cincinnati family in so many ways. He provided transportation to meetings and other activities for so many of us. He also was instrumental in re-connecting me with the Federation, as I joined at his recommendation earlier this year. At the time, he was providing me transportation to church services some Sundays.

If Lisa is comfortable with me sharing: I spoke with her yesterday morning and have been in regular contact since this all happened on Dec. 9. My mom and I also brought her to the Christmas Party at Arnold’s. (This would have been when he was still at Good Sam, and they were evidently preparing the transfer to West Chester). 

As of yesterday, Bob was able to ride the stationary bike for 20 minutes, but walking is still very difficult—as you can imagine.

His health insurance is evidently Medicare, and I’m a bit concerned that 20 days of coverage might not be enough to meet his needs. I realize I’m jumping the gun (as I usually do when I feel very passionate about something). However, Deborah, if you know of anyone at the local or another affiliate who is educated on inpatient rehab and Medicare that could help monitor the situation with the rehab and offer assistance as needed, this would be immensely appreciated. I’m not sure if 20 calendar days of service is enough, but I think Bob has a good potential for some kind of recovery if given the right supports.

We are also offering to assist with groceries and other supports as needed. 

Also—the correct zip code to send cards is “45069”, rather than “41069.”

Please keep Lisa, Bob and family in your prayers this Holiday season. 

Very Best,

Chris.

From: Cinci-nfb [mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deborah Kendrick via Cinci-nfb
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 12:28 AM
To: cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Cinci-nfb] FW: update status on Bob Marquardt

Dear Cinci NFB family, 

Sometimes, even most times, this is the happiest time of the year.  

For me it certainly is so at this time.  I am in Florida with my two beautiful daughters and one son-in-law, two adorable grandchildren, and expecting my son to arrive tomorrow.  There is plenty of music and movies and children’s laughter and stories and secret gift wrapping and food.  

I am blessed, and I hope that all of you feel the same way.

We all know, however, that some years for each of us are not so rosy.  

I have had a few of those more solemn seasons myself, as perhaps have each of you.  

My point in writing this message is, of course, to wish each of you joy in this blessed of all seasons.  

It Is also, however, to share the painful news of two of our most loyal members.  

Lisa Hall, as you know, is a member of our chapter board.  

Bob Marquardt has been an amazingly generous, dedicated, and all-too-often behind-the-scenes gem in our midst.  He gives to the chapter as a whole, to the affiliate, and his time and talent to many of us individually.  

I received the following heart-wrenching message from Lisa yesterday and am sharing it with you.  Her own words paint the picture of the situation far more poignantly than I could do.

Please keep these two members of our family in your prayers.  

If you can, please call one or both of them with your friendship and support.  

Peace and love and Merry Christmas to you all,

Deborah

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Lisa Hall" <lhall007 at cinci.rr.com>
Date: December 22, 2014 at 10:00:19 AM EST

kkey at clovernook.org>, "'Nancy Schuster'" <nancy.schuster at itngreatercincinnati.org>, "'Deborah Kendrick'" <kendrick.deborah at gmail.com>
Subject: update status on Bob Marquardt

Hi everyone,

I am sending copies of this same email to all people who have had connection in working with Bob Marquardt during the time he was able to work or volunteer for your respective organization(s). Some of you may remember through phone conversations, or one-on-one chats that Bob Marquardt fell on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at Apple store losing his balance on a stool around 7:15 P.M. and was taken to The Jewish Hospital by ambulance. I went with him to the hospital and stayed with him in the emergency room. Once I knew what they were going to do, I notify Stanley Marquardt, his son, to let him know what happened to Bob. This was around 10:30 P.M. I think. I went home by cab which cost me about $26.00 for 11 miles but gave $30.00 to cover tip for the driver. He was in the hospital through Friday, December 12, 2014. Stanley Marquardt came to get him from the hospital and drove him to my apartment. This happened around 12:00 P.M. He was at my apartment around 1:00 P.M. Stanley made sure he was able to go up the steps to get into my apartment. Bob was provided a support cane to help in traveling. 

Somewhere around 4:30 P.M. something happened. I walked home from work at Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to look forward to spending time with Bob. When I walked in the door (door was unlocked I think), Bob said, “Help me! Help me!” I said, “What’s wrong.” He said, “I got dizzy and was going upstairs to lay down and get some rest. I fell down the stairs.” I said, “OK, hang in there. Let me call 911 immediately.” The ambulance and fire department came to the apartment and assisted him up. From all accounts, he was bruised. I think he was also bruised from the first fall as well. I asked Bob if he needed me to go with him back to The Jewish Hospital emergency room. He told me no and that I should stay here. One of the firefighters said that he cannot live by himself. (He have been living with me since early 2007 anyway but that was a time before he had a stroke in September 2008.) Stanley went back to pick up Bob at the Jewish Hospital and brought him back to my apartment. I think this was around 7:00 P.M. He was a changed man. He was unable to walk and go to the bathroom downstairs of my apartment. This is the weekend you know and I started to take action. I cared for him from Friday night through Monday late afternoon until I finally was able to get some help from a nurse who came up to my apartment to provide Bob home health care. Jewish Hospital  provided a list of prescriptions for Bob but Stanley did not get the medications he needed until Sunday afternoon after I called him to get some help. I needed some groceries and medications to be filled. I was up with him round the clock. Whenever Bob slept, I slept. I stayed on the recliner, Bob stayed on the couch. Monday, December 15, 2014 Stanley came down to be with Bob for a couple of hours while I went to get a couple of hours of sleep. This was somewhere between 8 to 10 A.M. I got up to relieve Stanley so that he can go back to store to pick up remainder of medication and any other grocery Bob needed. Once all medications were obtained, I assisted Bob with his medications while Stanley went to work for a couple of hours. Stanley heard from a nurse around 3:00 P.M. and he was coming back to my apartment to be there for home health care service intake.

the nurse arrive around 3:30 P.M. or 4 P.M. The nurse took some health information and said that he is not ready for home health care and that he needed to go back to hospital. Stanley asked for guidance as to what hospital she recommended. She suggested Good Samaritan and away I went to put some clothes on to go with him to the emergency room. Stanley followed us in his car so that he can help me get home once he is admitted back in hospital for the third time. I was riding in the ambulance around 5:00 P.M. He stayed in the hospital from Monday evening through Friday, December 19, 2014. He was then transferred by ambulance to Heritagespring of West Chester located at 7235 Heritagespring Drive, West Chester, Ohio 41069. This happened around 3 to 4 P.M. 

On Sunday, December 21, 2014, Stanley and Robin, Stanley’s girlfriend, came to get me at my apartment to take me to rehab center where he is staying since Friday night of December 19, 2014. This was around 1:00 P.M. We took some clothes, a watch, and a cell phone so that Bob can see what time it was and receive phone calls and a changing of clothes.

When we got there around 1:30 P.M., a physical therapist was working with him on some exercises. I watched him try to do walking in place standing up. Bob was unable to stand on his feet for very long. He needed to go to bathroom. They helped him go to the bathroom with a walker. Once Bob got back, the next exercise he was able to do was to ride a stationary bike. He did that for ten minutes. After that he went to his room. I went to his room and spent some time with him sitting in a chair beside his bed. He was watching football at the time.

To end this story, I am sorry that he was in need of medical help. I love him so much and I don’t know what the future will hold for him. I hope for a speedy recovery and I know that things will not be the same.

Bob will be in the rehab center for 20 days beginning December 19, 2014. I plan to go up with Bob’s family on Christmas Day and on December 30 to see him. December 30, 2014 is Bob’s birthday and he will be 77 years old.

If anyone wishes to send get well cards or flowers to cheer him up, you can send it to:

Heritagespring of West Chester 

7235 Heritagespring Drive 

West Chester, Ohio 41069.

If anyone wishes to talk to him by phone, He does have a direct phone line. That number is (513) 644-4150. His cell phone number is (937) 831-1125. If he doesn’t answer, leave a voice mail on his cell phone.

I currently don’t know if he will need financial help. I haven’t talk with the family yet about that. He does have Medicare as his primary insurance. I am aware that some of the medical cost will not be covered. I think this is where the community of Cincinnati comes in if needed. 

If anyone wishes to contact me, my home number is (513) 931-7070. My cell number is (513) 550-5155.

Sincerely,

Lisa Hall

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