A wounded Vet and Mother with MS

 I met Dana in elementary school. we gravitated towards each and became quick friends. we endured the typical mean kids together and I think it made us closer. while we went our separate ways in Jr high and high school, we managed to reconnect through Facebook. she has been an amazing inspiration to me and this is why I need to share her story with all of you.

Mike, Dana's husband was shot by a sniper On Sept 27 2007, they were entering a building. The sniper's bullet went through his upper right arm, ricocheted off the building and re entered his arm. He was losing so much blood they had to lay him down. During the chaos and While waiting for the medivac, one of his own team members backed over his legs with the Stryker. When they got him up in the air, they lost him.  they kept frantically working to bring him back.  They finally resusitated him but his brain  was without oxygen for almost 5 minutes.

Once stable, Mike was transported back to the United States and was treated by the amazing doctors and staff at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. They, of course did an exceptional job of corrective surgeries. A metal plate had to be inserted into his forearm. As a result of where the bullet hit, he has extensive nerve damage, in addition to permanent muscle damage and muscle loss, leaving him unable to use the arm properly. There are permanent tread marks on his knees, and he has extensive nerve damage in lower legs. He has almost no sensation below the knees. Mike spent 2 years in a wheelchair and requires the use of special knee braces. The damage sustained to his legs has led to very painful lower back problems. 

In addition to the physical pain, he suffers from severe PTSD. He suffers from night terrors and barely sleeps.   A Dr from the VA has come to their house once a week since 2014.  Mike has put so much effort into working with him.....but while at Walter Reed he was given next to no help for the PTSD, and was basically left to figure it out after his  honorable discharged/medical retirement in Feb 2011.

In addition to Mike's ongoing battles at home, Dana was diagnosed with multiple Sclerosis in December 2012.

She had already lost the sight in her right eye and had multiple left brain lesions.

Dana continued trying to work at the pharmacy, waiting tables, anything she could do to keep them financially afloat, but due to a progression of  the disease in October 2013, she could no longer work.

A  lesion on her cerebellum destroyed all of her coordination. Shortly after,  more lesions formed covering the front left section of her brain causing serious cognitive deficiencies.

Along with the 2013 progression there was a TIA and in Jan 2016, she suffered a stroke, leaving a second bruise on the right side of her brain and permanent weakness to the left side of her body.

All the while, Mike continued dealing with his own trauma.  All the while, both working so very hard at their relationship and later at being parents. 

Dana now has a walker and a wheelchair to help her get around several times a week.

Despite his own serious issues to contend with, Mike has been the most incredible source of support as Dana's disease has progressed.  during that 2013 episode, Dana was terrified, needing physical therapy and a walker for the first time and Mike spent the entire 10 days at the hospital with her, sleeping in a chair in her room. He never gives up, he never let's Sarah (their miracle child)  or Dana down, even though the toll is immeasurable.

They met in gym class at 15 and even though very young, fell very seriously in love. They spoke of children and marriage. Dana's dad's job moved her and her family, away from Mike.  They  sadly lost touch but found each other again 8 years later and made the child and marriage dream come true.

(though it took 7 years, multiple losses and too many Drs saying thier only hope of being parents was adoption). 

Mike and Dana continues to fight for disability since the 2016 stroke, but unable to afford a lawyer they have been unsuccessful. Even though two strokes, legally blind and quickly progressing multiple Sclerosis isn't enough to get any sort of timely approval. 

This amazing family has been barely getting by on his 1560/month from the VA (apparently what a disabled purple heart recipient who gave everything is worth)

They are on food stamps, Sarah and Dana are on Medicaid. But now Sarah, their beautiful daughte, is getting older, expenses are growing.

The townhome they rent....cheapest they could find at 700/month....is located in a dangerous neighborhood where drugs and violence are quite prevalent.  There's no backyard. Neither Mike nore Dana is capable of getting Sarah to the closest park which is a 60 minute walk away. 

Their goal is to raise enough money to try to qualify for a prefabricated home. One without stairs and possibly in a better neighborhood.  These are amazing people and parents. But of course Dana feels constantly guilty that she is some how failing Sarah. 

Please help share their story and donate whatever you can. Every little bit helps. If you need to contact them directly to offer some other guidance or assistance please leave your information below.