2012 Recipients

Charles and Tammy live in Rowan County, off of Bringle Ferry Road. Tammy is an office manager for Gentiva Home Health and Charles had in the past years taken on debt by starting a tree cutting business called Chuck “the Woodchuck” Tree Service Tammy has health insurance on both of them, but b/c he is self-employed there are limitations.

In July 2011 Charles was involved in an accident that left his leg mangled and had to go through surgery and rehab to recovery. When he was released, Charles was quick to go back to work and take care of his business. On December 2, 2011 during routine tree topping, something went terribly wrong by a seasoned employee and a limb weighting aprox 200lbs was cut and accidently fell on Charles who was working on the ground below. This tree fell approx. 30 feet and landed on Charles’s skull exposing his brain tissue. When the limb hit Charles he fell face down and this resulted in facial fx and a C1 fx in his neck. He was airlifted to Baptist Hospital and they did not expect him to live through the night and had Tammy call all the family in from out of state. When he made it 24 hours the hospital proceeded with every effort to save him.

He has brainstem function but no Cortex. He is presently at Baptist awaiting Carolina Rehab placement. Another big concern is a decubiti ulcer that he has developed giving him osteomyelitis. Charles still has a trachea, feeding tube and is on medication to stimulate the brain. He has made some progress: Follows with eyes, processing words with blinking and squeezing. He can move his fingers and left foot.

Tammy has been on FLMA for almost 12 weeks with no pay. The immediate concern Tammy has is making her house payments. Because Charles was self-employed he did not have workers comp and the bills are becoming astronomical. Tammy is trying to sell the equipment they have, but establishing a guardianship with the court has to take place and that takes time. But has been told by the court system that the money for the equipment can only be used to pay those loans off and cannot be used for the house or other utilities.

Charles and Tammy are very active in Christian activities. They had started a Drug Rehab Ministry for young men “Grace Recovery Center” and have helped many troubled men find God and have a successful rehab, Visit Charles’ web site to read his life testimony at gracerecoverycenter.org. Tammy is a former co-worker of mine and I can honestly say she is one of the kindest human beings I have ever known and has the faith of God in her heart.

Thanks, Lisa Grubb

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2nd Recipient TDK 2012

James (Jimmy) Martin, he is 54 years old and is a resident of Denton. His siblings are Kathy Crowell, Teresa Parker, Sheila Garner, Karen Pierce, Scott Martin, Jeff Martin, and Pam Fee. He is the son of Jim and Janell Martin. He has been married to his wife Karen for 34 years. Together they have 3 daughters Jennifer, Andrea and Tara. They also have 9 grandchildren.

He has Wegener's disease, which is an uncommon disorder that

causes inflammation of your blood vessel, which in turn restricts blood flow to various organs. This has caused him to develop kidney failure, resulting in anemia. He has been in and out of High Point Regional Hospital mutliple times in the past several years and has had to recieve multiple blood transfusions due to anemia. He also has recieved chemotherapy and radiation for the treatment of Wegener's disease. He was recently admitted to High Point Regional Hospital on 1/17/12 and now transferred to Chapel Hill.

He is currently battling 2 different types of rare fungal pneumonias. Immunosuppression

from kidney failure and anemia has caused him to develop these fungal pneumonias.

His prognosis at this time is uncertain, and doctors are telling him and our family that

he will "have to fight" if he wants to live. On top of his current health problems he also

struggles with COPD and congestive heart failure. He is currently unemployed and has

not been approved to recieve disability benefits at this time. Update below:

James "Jimmy" Martin

(June 11, 1957 - March 9, 2012)