Online Fundraiser Underway for WH Business Owner's Sick Wife

An online fundraiser for the wife of a West Hempstead-based physical therapist suffering from a rare neuromuscular disease has raised more than $28,000 in just one month's time. 

Mindi Brown, of Melville, has Devic's disease, which is similar to multiple sclerosis in that the body's immune system attacks the optic nerve and spinal cord. Brown has been in the hospital for several weeks receiving treatment. 

Brown, a mother of four, is currently in a wheelchair and the fundraiser, started by her friend Karen Lippman, seeks to raise money to install a handicapped accessible ramp at her home, purchase some adaptive equipment for her home and fund medical care and innovative stem cell treatment that hopefully will be available to Brown. 

Brown's husband, Michael, is the owner and lead physical therapist at Island Rehabilitation, located at 300 Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead.

"My mom used to help the community and help others," Brown's son, Jared, a freshman at High School East, told Patch. "Now it's our turn too help her during her rough times. We are hoping she has improvements soon."

The fundraiser is seeking to raise a total of $50,000 and just a little more than halfway there.

Learn more about Brown's condition and donate here: https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/wqc2/helpingourfriendmindibrown

With Ryan Bonner.