A Farewell for Elio Wilson

Hello everyone I would like to first introduce myself, my name is Latae Schley.  I am the niece of Elio Eugene Wilson.  Elio was born March 12, 1985 as a very loving, fun, talented and smart child.  I look back at our days of growing up together and think about so many great times we have had together.  I am sure many people could also tell many stories of all the good times they have had with Elio.  Elio was such a good artist, I remember one time I was about 6 and he was about 10, he asked me if he could draw a picture of me.  I remember thinking to myself sure this is going to be funny.  When he was finished he showed me the picture and to my amazement it looked just like me.  I was so amazed that a 10 year old could draw something so great!  I wish I would have kept that picture.  But who knew at that age that memories last a lifetime and growing up that one day I may not have my uncle here with me anymore?  I remember him as the uncle that would play barbies with me just to make me happy.  He also taught me how to play video games, I don't know how many times we watched Space Jam together, that was our favorite movie.   When I got older and had children he was always there for me and my children no matter what was needed, he was there no questions asked.  Elio has always had a love for animals and anyone that knows him would know that he especially loved his dogs.  He currently has two dogs that will greatly miss him.  I am going to miss the one person I could always be myself around, the one person who always made me laugh, whether it be him talking about my quarter nose slots or my hammer toes,  LOL.  Oh Elio always knew how to put a smile on someones face.  There is no one on this earth with the same personality as Elio.  Even when he was sick he always had high spirits.  Elio is who kept us all strong.  I could go on and on about the lives Elio has touched, and all of the things he has done for people out of the kindness of his heart, but I am sure many of you are thinking of those memories as well.  I would like to tell you his story.  Elio was a very healthy boy growing up.  He got colds and upset stomachs just like any other child did.  But during his senior year of high school Elio became very sick.  He had developed an aneurysm.  He was diagnosed with a very rare blood clotting disorder called Factor V Lieden, and a genetic disorder called Behcets.  We were back and forth from the hospital of the University of Penn for many years to come.  Each and every time we weren't sure that he would make it, but Elio was so strong, he always made it out of all those tough times.  This continued to be the cycle of his life.  But Elio was a fighter, he fought for his life each and every time. Each and every time we prayed he would pull out of it and he did.  He then lost both his kidneys and his bowels from this disease.  He has been on renal dialysis for many years.  But this time things are different.  About one month ago because of his illness he developed a terminal brain disease called PML.  There is no treatment and no cure.  We were given a week left for him to live. There is no pulling out of it this time.  Reality is hard to accept.  Elio has fought such a hard fight and at the age of 33, it's too soon for him to go.  Getting the news was hard for all of us, but I can only imagine how he feels knowing he is dying and their is nothing that can be done.  Elio has a 6 year old son, Jeremiah.  Jeremiah loves his dad very much and is going to be in so much pain.  Losing a father at such a young age is so hard and he is going to need a lot of support.  Elio will never get to see his son graduate, talk about his first kiss, or see his grandchildren.  Elio would want his son to continue to be taken care of, as he did whatever he could for his son, he was a great father.  We are collecting money for Elio's funeral expenses as well as money for his little boy Jeremiah, we would like to be able to continue taking care of his child for him as much as we can.  We all appreciate everyone that has donated.  For everyone's life that he has touched, he will forever be in all of our hearts, and words can't explain how much he will be missed.  Thank you all, Love Elio and his family.