Disturbing news. I think the farrier may need some more help.

Last month, Ken Norman, our farrier and friend, the one who helped save Simon’s life and who kept him healthy and mobile, underwent surgery to replace both of his knees, worn out from years of hard and grinding work. Ken and his wife Eli have more than 30 horses and donkeys, many of them rescues. Ken is a generous and compassionate human being. He needs some help right now, more than we even thought.

To help Ken get through his surgery and recovery, we posted a help  request on gofundme., a crowdsourcing site, and many good people raised more than $32,000 to help Ken and Eli keep the farm going during his three months of recovery and rehabilitation, which has been painful and so far, successful. He is beginning to walk with a cane, and we were all beginning to take a breath of  relief. Friends and neighbors have kicked in with food and hay.

Yesterday, things got more complex for Ken Norman and Eli, for Nikoleni, for their animals. Eli fell down while picking up her daughter at school and fractured several bones in her left wrist, and their recovery and survival plan went largely down the chute. With Eli injured and Ken still unstable, they will need a lot of help caring for the animals on their farm over the next few months. Ken asked for $17,500 and got more than that, but it is clear he will need that much and more to get through this challenge.

Although Ken received more money than he asked for, the farm is gobbling it up rapidly, he has had some sick animals to care for, equine veterinary care is steep.

Eli had a rough night last night, she was in great pain and returned to the hospital this morning for more work on her arm and cast, and perhaps more help with the pain she is in. Ken is stoic, but I can tell he was stunned and is worried. With yet another storm coming, he has to figure out how to get more hay to his horses and soon. He was out in the barn last night caring for a sick pony – I imagine he should not have been out there.

So I am once more calling people’s attention to his request for help. Asking for more money for Ken makes all of us uncomfortable, especially Ken, but I am at ease with it.  I am certain it is a good cause and the right thing to do, if it is possible.

Ken is not one to ask for help, and I don’t wish to put any more pressure on people who have already contributed so generously. I am contributing an amount once more, but many people are pressured and no one ought to feel any discomfort if they can’t contribute again. If you can, Ken and Eli can use it.

They are worthy and people showed last month how good they can be, given a chance. Here is another chance. If you are so inclined, you can contribute here.  Ken and I talked last night, we don’t think it’s a good idea to ask for a specific amount, it seems like it will cost him about $7,000 to hire people and help for the next couple of months. Thanks for any help you can provide.