Friends of Tonya Benefit Posted Monday, November 09, 2009 at 11:47:35 AM     Alexandria Bay, NY 1000 Islands  Comments  Unique Views 1669/Total Views 1680

Here is a letter from Heather Gill..

     
       Greetings,
       I am writing to you today on behalf of “Friends of Tonya”, which is a group of volunteers that have come together to raise money for our friend Tonya Barnes. Tonya and her family have been members of the Clayton community for most of their lives and consider this area their home. They have attended Clayton schools, worked at local businesses and have given back to this community in many ways.
       Tonya was diagnosed as a young child with Fibrodysplasia OSSIFICANS Progressiva (FOP) one of the rarest, most disabling genetic conditions known to medicine, it causes bone to form in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. Bridges of extra bone develop across joints, progressively restricting movement and forming a second skeleton that imprisons the body in bone. Tonya has had to deal with many changes to her body that her disease has caused her throughout her life and has with perseverance and dignity. On September 30th, 2009 Tonya had a very serious fall onto the pavement at her house. Tonya had a skull fracture, two broken bones in her nose, a broken neck, back and hip. The prognoses honestly did not look good and she was taken to Upstate Medical in Syracuse where she remains as of today. October 2nd surgeons repaired her back and neck and on October 8th her hip. Tonya had to be placed on a ventilator and when they tried to remove her from it, her lungs could not handle working on their own so a tracheotomy had to be inserted, which she will have to use permanently. Tonya’s mother has been by her side and is staying at the Sara House, family and friends have been traveling back and forth to see Tonya and she is in good spirits. Tonya has a long road of recovery ahead of her, but we all believe in her ability to overcome any obstacle that may come her way as she has done her entire life.
       Tonya‘s biggest obstacle besides getting better is trying to come up with $3500.00 to purchase a special mattress that she now needs. Something so simple most of us just take for granted, getting in and out of bed, but for Tonya that is going to be an undertaking every day. “Friends of Tonya” will be holding a benefit Saturday, November 21 from 2pm – 8pm at O’Brien’s in Clayton to try and raise money to help purchase this special mattress. We are looking for money donations, items to raffle or whatever you can contribute to help make this event a success. Your donation would be so appreciated. If you would like to be a part of “Friends of Tonya” and donate an item that needs to be picked up, please contact Heather Bechaz Gill at (315) 405-3868 or Debbie Hoover at (315) 482-4274 before November 18th and arrangements will be made at your convenience to pick your donation up. If you would prefer to donate a dollar contribution please make funds payable to “Friends of Tonya” and mail to 41277 Cty. Rt. 15 Suite 1 Plessis, NY 13675. You may also go to Gouverneur Savings and Loan, Alexandria Bay and deposit a donation in person.
       Thank you in advance for your contribution and taking the time to read this letter. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. I hope to see you at the benefit on the 21st and have a great day.
       
       Sincerely,
      
                     Heather Bechaz Gill
      

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