In April 2015 Tom Garchow learned that he has Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a disease with no cure or known treatment. He and his wife, Luann, who also has faced serious medical problems this year, have depleted their modest life savings. I learned recently that they do not have enough money to begin much-needed physical therapy for Mrs. Garchow after shoulder surgery – three weekly therapy sessions for a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Each session would have a co-payment of $40. The Garchows need immediate financial assistance for these treatments and other necessities.
Mr. Garchow’s LBD condition has progressed steadily over the past sixteen months. He can no longer drive, use the computer, or engage in many of the activities that he has enjoyed since retiring as a teacher from Divine Child Elementary School in June 2009. He continues to have a positive attitude despite suffering intensely. He experiences periods of confusion, his short-term memory is affected, he has lost weight, and his balance and eyesight are much worse. However his long-term memory and quick wit remain. He spends most of his time watching television and spoiling the Garchows’ beloved dog, Hope. Hanging out with Mrs. Garchow, taking Hope for walks, and watching the Detroit Tigers are his favorite activities (except when the Tiger relievers pitch poorly.) Mrs. Garchow served as his 24/7, sole caregiver until a few months ago, and she still spends most of her waking hours tending to him. They now have home health care professionals come to their house a few times a week.
Complicating the progression of Mr. Garchow’s LBD have been medical conditions faced by both over the past year. Shortly after being diagnosed with LBD, Mr. Garchow suffered a severe heart attack. His recovery has been excellent, but insurance only covered a portion of his physical therapy. Mrs. Garchow had shoulder surgery in May. Rather than recovering in a rehabilitation facility as recommended, she elected to return home to care for Mr. Garchow. A few weeks later she was taken to emergency by ambulance after collapsing. She was dehydrated, anemic, and exhausted. She spent a week in the hospital and three weeks in a rehab facility, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary while Mrs. Garchow was in the hospital. Amazingly Mr. Garchow was able to care for himself and live alone for a month with the help of Hope and a small group of close friends and relatives while Mrs. Garchow recovered.
The Garchows are doing their best to enjoy life and laugh asthey always have, but their situation is difficult. LBD typically has a faster progression than Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Every day they face the possibility that Mr. Garchow could wake and be unable to communicate for the rest of his life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Garchow worry about the future and how they can survive financially. Gifts received now as a result of this GoFundMe campaign would provide much-needed peace of mind during this time of waiting for the disease to progress further.
I am blessed to have had Mr. Garchow as my junior high teacher and basketball coach. He impacted my life in many ways, and I owe him a great debt of gratitude. He devoted his career to helping thousands of students like me learn math and science and develop academic and social skills. He was an excellent teacher who loved his students – and it showed.
The Garchows are proud people and convincing them to allow this request for financial support was difficult. However they are out of options. They need our help. I ask each of you to consider prayerfully a gift of support. While many are capable of providing a higher level of financial support, I ask that you consider a gift of $40 to fund a therapy session for Mrs. Garchow and defray their living expenses. Also, as a favor to the Garchows, consider sharing this message through Facebook, Twitter, and email to let people know of the Garchows’ need for help. Not everyone is on social media or checks those accounts regularly, so please make every effort to forward this appeal for support to those who might be interested. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
The Garchows were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support by family, friends, and former students when learning of Mr. Garchow’s fatal diagnosis. They received hundreds of letters and emails and countless Facebook private messages and posts. Mr. Garchow had no idea the extent to which he had impacted the lives of his students. He learned that he had inspired students to become math and science teachers, mathematicians, and scientists. These messages brought him great joy. He is very proud of his students.
We have established a special account for all donations. You can make a donation through GoFundMe’s secure financial process . Donations will be used to support the Garchows during this difficult time.
Now would be the best time to provide financial support.
Please pray for Mr. and Mrs. Garchow. The future they face is bleak, and they will need all of the prayers and support their friends and family can offer.
May God bless you abundantly.
Mr. Garchow’s LBD condition has progressed steadily over the past sixteen months. He can no longer drive, use the computer, or engage in many of the activities that he has enjoyed since retiring as a teacher from Divine Child Elementary School in June 2009. He continues to have a positive attitude despite suffering intensely. He experiences periods of confusion, his short-term memory is affected, he has lost weight, and his balance and eyesight are much worse. However his long-term memory and quick wit remain. He spends most of his time watching television and spoiling the Garchows’ beloved dog, Hope. Hanging out with Mrs. Garchow, taking Hope for walks, and watching the Detroit Tigers are his favorite activities (except when the Tiger relievers pitch poorly.) Mrs. Garchow served as his 24/7, sole caregiver until a few months ago, and she still spends most of her waking hours tending to him. They now have home health care professionals come to their house a few times a week.
Complicating the progression of Mr. Garchow’s LBD have been medical conditions faced by both over the past year. Shortly after being diagnosed with LBD, Mr. Garchow suffered a severe heart attack. His recovery has been excellent, but insurance only covered a portion of his physical therapy. Mrs. Garchow had shoulder surgery in May. Rather than recovering in a rehabilitation facility as recommended, she elected to return home to care for Mr. Garchow. A few weeks later she was taken to emergency by ambulance after collapsing. She was dehydrated, anemic, and exhausted. She spent a week in the hospital and three weeks in a rehab facility, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary while Mrs. Garchow was in the hospital. Amazingly Mr. Garchow was able to care for himself and live alone for a month with the help of Hope and a small group of close friends and relatives while Mrs. Garchow recovered.
The Garchows are doing their best to enjoy life and laugh asthey always have, but their situation is difficult. LBD typically has a faster progression than Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Every day they face the possibility that Mr. Garchow could wake and be unable to communicate for the rest of his life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Garchow worry about the future and how they can survive financially. Gifts received now as a result of this GoFundMe campaign would provide much-needed peace of mind during this time of waiting for the disease to progress further.
I am blessed to have had Mr. Garchow as my junior high teacher and basketball coach. He impacted my life in many ways, and I owe him a great debt of gratitude. He devoted his career to helping thousands of students like me learn math and science and develop academic and social skills. He was an excellent teacher who loved his students – and it showed.
The Garchows are proud people and convincing them to allow this request for financial support was difficult. However they are out of options. They need our help. I ask each of you to consider prayerfully a gift of support. While many are capable of providing a higher level of financial support, I ask that you consider a gift of $40 to fund a therapy session for Mrs. Garchow and defray their living expenses. Also, as a favor to the Garchows, consider sharing this message through Facebook, Twitter, and email to let people know of the Garchows’ need for help. Not everyone is on social media or checks those accounts regularly, so please make every effort to forward this appeal for support to those who might be interested. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
The Garchows were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support by family, friends, and former students when learning of Mr. Garchow’s fatal diagnosis. They received hundreds of letters and emails and countless Facebook private messages and posts. Mr. Garchow had no idea the extent to which he had impacted the lives of his students. He learned that he had inspired students to become math and science teachers, mathematicians, and scientists. These messages brought him great joy. He is very proud of his students.
We have established a special account for all donations. You can make a donation through GoFundMe’s secure financial process . Donations will be used to support the Garchows during this difficult time.
Now would be the best time to provide financial support.
Please pray for Mr. and Mrs. Garchow. The future they face is bleak, and they will need all of the prayers and support their friends and family can offer.
May God bless you abundantly.
Organizer and beneficiary
Luann Garchow
Beneficiary