Julie's Last Wish - Trip to Alaska

Julie is my hero.  She is courageously battling a debilitating, terminal, neurodegenerative disease called Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).  MSA slowly cripples a body, shutting down all automatic body systems and destroying the nerves ability to send signals to muscles. Julie can no longer walk, and her condition has progressed to the point that she is unable to even write a text or email to stay in touch with her kids or her friends.  Her speech is dramatically affected and will continue to diminish until she loses that as well.  She has not been able to drink liquids or eat what she wants for months due to the risk of aspirating - she relies on tube feedings to keep her alive.   She is extremely intelligent, and reads avidly even though she needs assistance to even turn the page of a book.  And she has a razor sharp sense of humor - with limited speech she can still make her family and friends laugh like noone else can.  

Julie is only 51, but instead of planning for retirement, she can expect to be bedridden for months before her death, unable to move or speak, and needing assistance to breathe.   It has always been Julie's dream to travel the world, and we want to take her on an amazing trip before she is completely unable to do so. Julie wants to make the most of the time she has left, and we are committed to making her dream come true!

Unfortunately, we're almost out of time.  We only have days or weeks left until she won't physically be able to travel.  Alaska was the only one of Julie's dream destinations that is logistically possible with her physical limitations and the care she requires. Donations will be used to pay for the trip - any amount can help make this dream come true for her!!!  It will be a daunting trip physically, but Julie has decided to live what's left of her life to the fullest, and wants to make some amazing memories that will sustain her through the progression of her disease to her death.

Please help us!!  So often people have asked our family what they can do to help, and truly there is little else that can be done.   Join us in providing Julie with the trip of a lifetime!!


Learn more about the struggles of MSA patients here:  https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/blog/takes-community-fight-multiple-system-atrophy