Photojournalists Rally To "Save Steve's Family"

 

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (August 14, 2009) – The photojournalism community is rallying online to help one of its own, Steve Coddington of the St. Petersburg Times, who for more than a year has been taking care of his wife, Marian, after she suffered a brain aneurysm and four hemorrhages in less than a month.

After 6 months in hospitals and care centers, she was transferred to The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. From there, she had to go to an acute care hospital for several surgeries. Coddington stayed by her side in Chicago, working with her caregivers to help her return to a normal life. Coddington says the health insurance company dug in its heels, refused to return Marian to the Rehabilitation Institute, and stopped all payments to the acute care hospital. Ultimately, he brought Marian home and has assumed the role of caregiver and single parent.

Coddington has used up his family leave time and has neither the helpers nor the money to provide the care for his wife and children, ages four and seven. Although the newspaper has continued to extend his leave, he's been fearful that at some time, the paper would have to cut him loose. He first joined NPPA in 2000.

Friends and coworkers have rallied to support Coddington with a "Save Steve's Family" Web blog that tells the whole story of what the family has endured and seeks donations and assistance. "If you can give, something, anything ... it will help," photojournalist Melissa Lyttle said today. There is a "donate" PayPal link on the Web site.

"We are doing an eBay auction of world renowned photographer Sam Abell's latest hardcover photo book, The Life of a Photograph, signed by the master himself," Times photojournalist Lara Cerri said. "Published in 2008 by the National Geographic Society, this listing will go live on Saturday August 15 at 3 p.m. EST and will end on Saturday August 22 at 4 p.m. Search for item #260456026357 starting on August 15. The starting bid is $99.00."

Abell donated his signed book to the "Save Steve's Family" effort, Cerri told News Photographer today.

"There is also a trust in Marian's name at SunTrust bank," Cerri said. "You can make a check out to 'Marian Coddington Trust' and deposit it at any SunTrust bank, or you can send the check directly to the bank at SunTrust Bank, Attention Special Handling VA-RIC-9292, P.O. Box 27572, Richmond VA 23261."

If you are in the St. Petersburg and Tampa area, there is a benefit concert for the Coddingtons at Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa on Sunday, August 23, 2009, beginning at 4 p.m. EST. Admission is $10 with the proceeds going to the family.

"Save Steve's Family" is online here.

 

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