Hugh's Broken Collar Bone

Pardon any typo’s. I am doing this with the free voice recognition software found in Windows 7, which is far from perfect.

On the 20th of October 2010 I had a blowout on my motor scooter. I went down hard on my left side, snapping my left collarbone in half like a piece of chalk. I spent Wednesday night in the emergency room at Wake Med, where they gave me lots of painkillers and sent me home. I now have virtually no use of my left arm, which is bound tight against my side in a sling. My left shoulder is swollen and black and I swear when I walk around I can feel the bones rubbing together.

I have an appointment on Monday to visit an orthopedist, who no doubt would do all kinds of tests, only to tell me to keep that immobilized for another 6 to 8 weeks. For this, he will probably get thousands of dollars, eventually.

As you may know, I don’t have any health insurance. Of course, neither do 40 million other people in the U.S. I don’t know what we’re going to have to pay the orthopedists up front, and they haven’t sent us a bill yet from the emergency room, but I’m sure they will get around to it soon. The last time I went to the emergency room, it was more than $400.

I want to say up front that I am a very lucky guy. I’m lucky because I wasn’t hurt worse and I’m lucky because I married an awesome woman who is helping me through this and most of all, I’m lucky that I have many, many friends. Over the last few days I have felt very loved and affirmed by the outpouring of love and affection from all of you.

Many of you have asked how you can help us financially with the medical bills. This embarrasses the hell out of me. I grew up in the deep south, where we don’t talk about money, and especially about our lack of it. As someone who depends on the giving of others for his salary, this can be a bit problematic. But the simple truth is, I make less than $20,000 a year, and have no benefits, medical or otherwise. I’m not complaining, mind you. I love my job and I love that I get to minister to the people I do. But it means, quite often, that my needs or my family’s needs get pushed to the back burner.

My pride gets in the way a lot. I’m trying really hard to learn that when people offer you money, you say thank you and take it. So, if you want to help us with money to help cover these bills, we thank you so much.

If you want to send money by PayPal or major credit or debit card, you can do that by using PayPal here. If you rather mail a check, please make it out to Hugh Hollowell and send it to

Po Box 26874
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611

If you happen to be a member of Raleigh Mennonite Church, ignore these instructions and contact Duane, as there are denominational procedures to be followed.

While I work for a non-profit, none of this will be tax deductible to you. If you really need the deduction, email me and I will see if we can get the church to handle that end of things.

Regardless of whether you are able or willing to help us pay these bills, we greatly appreciate all of your thoughts, love, and prayers. All of you mean the world to us and we’re so very thankful that you are in our lives.

Note:

Of course, we are doing everything we can keep the bills as low as possible, including using whatever free and charity resources we can put our hands on.  And when the bills start to come in,  I will negotiate the best possible price I can get the doctors to agree to.

If you have any questions, advice, or other ideas, please feel free to shoot me an e-mail.  I am groggy a lot these days, so it may take a while for me to get back to you.