Fundraiser for Lynbrook firefighter

While most are preparing for Thanksgiving, thinking about holiday shopping or getting ready for the upcoming winter season, the members of the Lynbrook Fire Department Emergency Medical Company are getting ready for a Fall Festival Fundraising event to be held on November 20 to support one of their members, firefighter/EMT Kelly Ann Cartmell.
Cartmell, a fourth-generation Lynbrook resident, suffered a brain injury as a result of a diabetic incident on April 12, and has been in an upstate rehabilitation hospital. Her family hopes to be able to bring her home sometime next year. She joined the Lynbrook Fire Department and the Medical Company in 2004. She served on many committees and was one of their most active members until health issues forced her to cut back on her call hours — but not on her enthusiasm.
Cartmell became a licensed massage therapist in December 2008 and began work at “Hands on Health” in Lynbrook. She had entered in to a new relationship and life was looking good.
2010 started out fine. In January, Cartmell became engaged to Linzer — also with the Lynbrook Medical Company — and they planned an October wedding. Nature and fate had other plans for them.
As a longtime diabetic, Kelly Ann worked hard to maintain her blood sugars, which were never completely under control. In February she developed a foot wound that prohibited her from working. On April 12, Linzer arrived early at Cartmell’s house as he did every morning for breakfast and to assist her with her foot wound care. He found her unconscious and with very low blood sugars. After a call to 911 that brought their colleagues from the medical company, the medics tried to wake her up, and, realizing that something was terribly wrong, they rushed her to South Nassau Hospital. It took almost an hour to stabilize her condition, and it was then discovered that she had gone several hours with very low blood sugars, which caused a severe brain injury. She remained in a coma for almost a month, and after awakening, did not respond to her environment.
On June 2, Cartmell was transferred to Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital in Haverstraw, NY, where she is making very slow progress — but progress is there. She is awaiting clearance to transfer to another facility near Kingston, NY where she will enter a comprehensive neurologic rehabilitation program that will run for six to 12 months. No matter what the outcome, her family will bring her home when she completes the program or stops showing progress.
While her October planned wedding date has passed, Linzer and Kelly Ann’s mother, Eileen, have vowed to care for her and make sure that all her needs are met. Members of the medical company will try to raise funds for future needed home renovations once Cartmell comes home.

FUNDRAISER FOR KELLY ANN CARTMELL

On Sat., Nov. 20, the Tally Ho firehouse on Horton Avenue has donated its hall, and many others have made donations as well. Prizes, 50/50 raffle, For tickets or to make a donation call  Lynbrook's Emergency Medical Company at 516 599-5328.