Spread the Word

On 14 July, Paul was admitted to a rehab facility in Erie called Health South where he started therapy. For two weeks he seemed to have a strong determination to reach out to loved ones, to enthusiastically engage in his therapy regimen and to come to grips with the magnitude of his spinal injury – the major outcome of which seems to be that he may not regain significant feeling our use below the elbows. He did all this with the help of a most cherished loved one, John Chapman, who has been by his side tirelessly since the day after the accident. Along with John Chapman, David McChesney who Paul mentioned in his letter, Tom Weber who many know as another devoted, long-time friend and neighbor, and Rabbi John Busch have kept up their frequent visits and remain a valuable cheering section.

On the weekend of 25 July Paul began to experience respiratory difficulties related to the fact that his paralysis inhibits full use of his diaphragm. This has lead to congestion in the lungs and the beginnings of what his doctors fear may become a battle with pneumonia. On Monday, 28 July, Paul was readmitted to Hamot Hospital in Erie where he remains on an array of antibiotics and in good care. He is still receiving a few visitors and his spirits remain high, but it has become very difficult and fatiguing for him to communicate for long. He is resting comfortably, but for now he is mostly resting when he is not being transported around the hospital for x-rays and other tests.

Suerk has spent his 70 years on the earth cultivating relationships with a vast network of family and friends. Consider this letter from this email address, forpaulsuerken@gmail.com, an attempt to reach as many people in his network as possible. Many people will be missed, so please help us by forwarding this note to anyone you think may be interested in knowing his situation. Respond to this email address and your words will be read to him. Respond with a note you want broadcast to his larger network and we will consider doing that. Respond with email addresses of others you think should be on the list and we will add them to the next update. We will do our best at keeping informed anyone who is interested.