News
May 24th, 2008
JR Litehiser Fund Established
A fund called the JR Litehiser Fund has been set up through U.S Bank to assist the family in this time of need.
Letter from Jenny Litehiser:
Carrie, Please pass on the website that has been set up to keep
all who are interested in how JR is doing. www.caringbridge.org/visit/jrlitehiser
It is updated daily, except for today (Wed.) as my Dad who does
the site was busy trying to get the local news stations to do a
follow up report on JR. Apparently, his accident was all over
the news Friday night and because it was so traumatic to the
Good Samaritans who helped extinguish the flames on JR, the
burn unit is being flooded with calls from them asking about
his condition. This website has been helpful with everyone's
well wishes and wanting to know how he's doing.
As for all the wishes to help, the best thing anyone can do
is to pray for his recovery. That is the most important
thing right there. He has significant burns over 80% of his
body and 75% of those burns are third degree burns. It is very
serious. I am worried about the length of recovery and
financially making ends meet. My mother quit her job to stay
with our children in our home, so that they can have a little
bit of routine and stability. I am living in Portland
indefinitely at my parents' home so that I can be by his side.
I was a stay at home mom and now there is income for the time,
as JR's crew is attempting to finish out the jobs that are
scheduled, but there are a few obstacles in doing this. So, I
don't know about income for how long due to this. I am told
that his recovery may last one to two years. At this point, I
am not too proud to beg for financial assistance. I have no
idea how I am going to make it. That scares me to no end as I
want to do right by my soulmate and be there for him and our
children. Lastly, the only other area of assistance I can think
of is getting guidance in dealing with all these insurance
investigator people, and information about the legalities of
workman's comp policies, accidents,etc. I don't want to trip up
and hurt myself by saying the wrong thing to the wrong person
because I am completely overwhelmed and all I really care about
is JR. I am so scared for him. He looks so swollen and fragile
laying in this hospital bed, and he normally is not a fragile
looking person as anyone who knows him knows.
I so appreciate all the sentiments sent our way. Without all
the love, support, and prayers from everyone, I don't know how
I could get through this. Thank you all so much for that. I am
saving everything emailed, snail mailed, and on the caring
bridge site so that one day JR can see what everyone said and
did for him and his family in this terrible time. I know that
he would be so appreciative if he knew now.
Sincerely, Jenny Litehiser
