For more than 27 years Debbie McMichael has devoted her life to helping those around her. For the first time, her role has drastically changed.
The 47-year-old First Hill resident was diagnosed at age 10 with Type 1 Diabetes. A little more than one month ago, doctors removed her right foot after a long battle with Charcot Foot, a bone-deformation condition found in many diabetes sufferers.
A DIFFICULT DECISION
The surgery came as a shocker to McMichael when she visited doctors last March.
"I went in [to the doctor] thinking I needed surgery," said McMichael, who works as a nursing assistant at the Horizon House retirement community and has been out of work since her surgery on May 30. "I never thought I would have had to make the decision to amputate [my foot]."
Doctors removed nearly half of McMichael's right leg - from her knee down - to ensure the area would be clean of infection and future health risks. Currently, she has been fitted with a prosthetic pylon, on which she is limited to placing only 50 pounds of weight.
Though her health insurance covered 80 percent of the surgery, McMichael still faces the great financial burden of numerous clinic visits and the prosthetic leg she will eventually be fitted with.
In her honor, her friends and co-workers are hosting a benefit concert at the Rock of Ages Lutheran Brethren Church this Saturday, July 14. Friends such as Daniel Myo are hoping to raise funds and gather support efforts to ease McMichael through her recovery.
"When I first heard about [McMi-chael's surgery] I was shocked," said Myo, who, along with his wife, is organizing the event. "I knew her insurance wouldn't cover most of the costs, so I had to find something I could do."
Myo immediately started planning. He sought the help of friends from both the church choir and the Stardust Jazz Band - who perform regularly around the Olympic Peninsula area, where Myo resides - to play this Saturday.
"Debbie is such a great, outgoing and wonderful person," said Myo, who has worked with McMichael for the last seven years. "I just hope that we can help her out."
OVERWHELMING SUPPORT
Despite the surgery, McMichael plans to return to work in September, after spending most of August with her physical therapist.
"I've already had such great support from my family," she said. "I'm just overwhelmed at all the efforts of Daniel and his wife. They've been such a blessing."
The benefit concert is from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Greenwood church, 316 N. 70th St. There will be a free-will offering taken for McMichael.
Checks should be made out to Rock of Ages LBC (memo: Debbie McMichael).
Those wishing to donate to her fund may do so at any Washington Mutual Bank location, under the benevolent fund for Debbie McMichael.
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