Support+for+the+Slattery+Family

//A note from **Susan T. Gorman, Ph.D.**, Dean, School of the Sciences// ...

[|Scholarship fund]

The outpouring of love and support from the Stevenson community has been a comfort, and many of you have been asking how you can help the family. The Slatterys were all very involved with the Boy Scouts (Troop 497) and the troop has been working wonders for the family already. They have made their home wheelchair accessible and prepared it for their arrival. We have just heard from the scout master about other specific needs that the family has and how we can help.

Also – once the family is home, we will be able to set a date for the memorial service to be held on campus. One of the things that we would like to do is publish a **memory book** for the family. **Please send me any stories, anecdotes, memories, thoughts, etc. that you would like included in the book. Photos are most welcome also.** There is a bulletin board across from the Academic Link (just outside Knott Hall 205) that remembers Susan and invites written submissions for the memory book, if you’d prefer that route for anonymous submissions.

Please read on if you’d like to help …

Ed, Peter, and Matthew Slattery are coming home!

Ed and the boys are coming home. As you know, they’ve been in Ohio for the last month following the horrific accident that claimed the life of Dr. Susan Slattery. Peter (age 16) is out of the hospital but in a wheelchair; Matthew (age 12) is still in a coma and requires continued hospitalization. The present plan is that Matthew will be transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital as early as Tuesday, September 14. He will go directly to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Ed and the boys are going to need some assistance during this transition period. He has asked if the following things could be done to help them cope during this difficult transition.

1. Ed would like to have someone with Matthew at all times as long as we can muster. We are hoping to initially cover at least thirty days of this vigil. This is our initial primary objective. Specific details of the vigil are below.

2. We are beginning a schedule of providing meal for Ed and the boys for the next several weeks as well. Details for scheduling this are below. 3. Finally, we know that Ed and the boys will have some incidental expenses for which they may be unprepared. Scout Troop 497 has set up a Slattery Support Fund to help with these expenses. Please check the troop’s website [|www.troop497.org] for more information on how to contribute. Also – we will collect monetary donations in Knott Hall 205 for the Slattery family.

Help with the Hospital Vigil with Matthew:

Beginning with a shift at 2 pm on Tuesday, September 14th! We are initially hoping to schedule coverage for Matthew at Johns Hopkins Hospital for one month, around-the-clock. We so appreciate your willingness to help, and to remain flexible as Ed tries to figure out how he would like this to work. Before scheduling yourself for a shift, please consider the following information:

· While Matthew is in the PICU, sleeping at the bedside is prohibited. We do not know how long Matthew will be in the PICU but as long as he’s there it will be necessary to remain awake during your shift.

· Ed would really like to know what goes on with Matthew when he is not there, so there will be a logbook to sign and describe the events that occur during your shift. It may also be used to send good wishes. It will be important to note interactions with the staff or any movements/reactions that Matthew might make during your shift.

· You may bring a drink/snack, and certainly a laptop, iPod, etc. Television access will depend upon what sort of unit or room he is in.

· You will need to pay parking fees. We would encourage you to park in the Hopkins hospital garage. The rate for up to 6 hours is $6.50 and the maximum charge for 24 hours is $11.00. You can be escorted by security personnel to your car at night if you feel the need to do so. Although we are scheduling 24/7 coverage, Matthew will have various family members coming to town that might prefer to spend some private time with Matthew. Additionally, Ed and Kelli will spend frequent portions of time there as well. When a family member arrives you may wish to ask them whether they prefer that you stay there with them or that you leave them there alone for vigil. They might enjoy the company if you stay. If they prefer for you to leave, please be sure to tell them when the next shift will be beginning. Perhaps you could offer to move to the waiting room if they are only planning to stay briefly. The family will be aware of the schedule, and it will be posted in Matthew’s room if possible.

Shifts are 4 hours long. If you feel that you are able to do an 8 hour shift, and want to express availability for two consecutive shifts, that is fine. · 10 pm – 2 am  · 2 am – 6 am   · 6 am – 10 am   · 10 am – 2 pm   · 2 pm – 6 pm   · 6 pm – 10 pm

Please e-mail the following address machooslatts@yahoo.com to volunteer. Please give your name, phone number(s) and your availability. You will be notified of the shift(s) for which you are assigned, and the weekly schedule will be posted on the Caring Bridge and Troop 497 websites.

Help by providing a meal: The meal link is [|http://www.takethemameal.com] password is 5466 for families to sign up for providing a meal. It is set up under Slattery.

Help by contributing money: Ed will have some incidental expenses for which the family may be unprepared. Scout Troop 497 has set up a Slattery Support Fund to help with these expenses. Please check the troop’s website [|www.troop497.org] for more information on how to contribute. Also – we will collect monetary donations in **Knott Hall 205** for the Slattery family.


 * Thank you very much for your prayers and your support for the Slattery family. ** Please feel free to share this e-mail with anyone that you think might wish to help in one or more of these ways.