Local Couple Struggling After Devastating Accident

EAST QUOGUE, NY — A veteran and longtime local realtor and his wife are struggling after a devastating accident left them financially crippled — with his PTSD again an issue, according to a fundraising page.

A GoFundMe, "Medical And Financial," was created to help Frank Schwahl and his wife Julie in East Quogue.

"Frank Schwahl, now 83, is a U.S. Navy submarine veteran. In 1958 he was selected for nuclear power school and for training on a prototype nuclear submarine in Idaho," the page said.

After the tragic sinking with the loss of all crew members of the USS Thresher, and later the USS Scorpion, also with no survivors, Schwahl learned that many of his friends from school and former shipmates from the USS Cavalla went down with the two subs, the page said.

"Frank developed major anxiety and major depression leading to PTSD," his wife Julie wrote.

"In civilian life, Frank is a caring and unselfish man, always reaching in his pocket, and giving whatever he has to help them. Always making sure if they needed more help, he was there. Our house was open to our friends, acquaintances, relatives, including children and pet, until they got back on their feet," she said.

Her husband, she said, had no retirement pension plan. "So we saved as much as we could, paid our bills, lived within our means, and had a top credit rating. Our home would be paid off before retiring. We felt good about our future, but things can change so fast and dramatically," she said. "Our son had a horrible accident on his job, being electrocuted and falling from a high ladder onto a concrete floor. He was rushed to the hospital and slipped into a coma for several days," she said.

"After the accident, we did everything possible to help him and his family. . .We went through all our savings, retirement, IRAs, personal life insurance policies, and ended up refinancing our home to pay for everything," Julie Schwahl wrote.

Life changed in a heartbeat, she said.

"Everything we had is gone, and we are in debt up to our eyeballs. We have been married for 59 years, and because of our ages, Frank is trying to cope with everything, but we have nothing left. The PTSD has returned from years ago, and is back with a vengeance. Frank shakes constantly, is unsteady on his feet, is seeing doctors, and on medication for the shaking and anxiety. He has fallen three times this month, broken two ribs, and pulled muscles in his chest. This adds to his cervical and spinal stenosis, leaving him with ongoing severe pain," Julie wrote.

"We both feel so powerless and truly need some help, but we have no one to turn to. We hope that someone cares and can help us. We would be so grateful," she said.

To donate, click here.

Patch photo courtesy GoFundMe.