Michael Dawson Memorial Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit

Hi friends, family and fellow cyclists, 

Many of you know that I lost my dad, Michael Dawson, this past December 2020 to vascular dementia/strokes. He was only 68. Due to our family living far away, the pandemic and me being an only child...I didn't have a funeral. This has weighed heavily on my heart...to not have had some sort of celebration of his life. He was such an important part of my life and I loved him so much.

Anyone that knew my dad, knew that he was an avid cyclist who religiously rode the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail and Paris Mountain every week. It was his happy place and the way he recharged his spirit. So, thanks to the help of the Greenville Spins Facebook community, I have been connected with Ty Houck at Greenville County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism. He has been amazing! After many conversations, he has been inspired to help me create a special place to remember my dad on the Swamp Rabbit. In lieu of a funeral, I am currently in the process of working with Ty to create a memorial for my dad at the intersection of the Swamp Rabbit and 901 Roe Ford Rd.

This is all still in the early stages. I need to raise the money and the concept has to have final approval with the GCPRT internal review committee...but this is the goal. The memorial will consist of a park bench and a granite plaque memorializing my dad. In addition, Ty is helping come up with an art installation using my dad's old cycling jerseys that will be located near the bench. This art installation will be an evolving tribute, not to just my dad, but to all cyclists in our community. Eventually in the next few weeks, I will have a photo realistic comp of what this would look like. But for now, I have to start raising money to make this happen. I'm very excited and extremely grateful for this unique and special opportunity to honor my dad's life. 

Some of you might ask...

"Why your dad?" He wasn't a local celebrity or big community leader. Nope, he was just a simple, brilliant, caring, single father who raised me. He was passionate about cycling and his Greenville community. He was a dedicated dog papa and tirelessly tended to a blind/deaf wiener dog for the past 13 years. He was my hero and helped make me the woman I am today.

"Why do you think your dad is so special that he is worthy of a memorial?" He isn't more worthy than anyone else in Greenville. However, for me this has become an opportunity to shine light on this horrible disease of dementia. Not only did it slowly destroy his mind and body but it led to isolation and loneliness.

What I didn't realize, was so much of the change I saw in my dad was due to the early stages of vascular dementia. My dad on the outside "seemed" very healthy. I would give anything to have known that brain change was occurring. It probably wouldn't have changed his trajectory, but maybe we could have gotten him on medications sooner to slow the process. I could have been more patient with his mood swings and depression. I would have spent more time with him. I just wish I had known the signs to look for. Maybe with earlier intervention, he could have had a few more years to be my dad. I encourage everyone to read about this terrible disease and if you suspect your loved one is suffering, get them help now. My dad's last 3-4 years of life was very difficult. He suffered from depression, isolation, apathy and loneliness. Just some of the many symptoms of vascular dementia. He often told me he felt irrelevant, invisible and that if he died...no one would even notice or care. This used to break my heart and still does. That is part of my inspiration to honor him with a public memorial where he won't be invisible. Michael Dawson will be seen and remembered for the wonderful man and father he was...for many years to come. 

Thank you all for considering my GoFundMe fundraiser.  The amount of money I'm trying to raise is based off of what Ty projects it will cost to have a bench, plaque and the art installation.

I hate to even ask during these difficult times we are in. Especially, when there are so many people that are suffering and in need. I appreciate any small donations but certainly don't want anyone to feel pressure to give to this cause. 

If you would like to learn a little more about my dad or see photos, I welcome you all to read my tribute to my dad on Facebook. Use the following link:

Michael Dawson Tribute 

Remember to hug and tell your loved ones how much they mean to you today. We aren't promised tomorrow. "When we lose someone we love we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind." –Unknown

I will end with my dad's own quote he would say all of the time:

"In life, you just got to keep pedaling" –Michael Dawson

Sincerely,
Sonya Brown

P.S. In the event that this project doesn't get final approval by the county, I will plan to donate any raised money to the Alzheimers Association in memory of Michael Dawson.