Hi!  My name is John Czaplicki Jr., and I’m 57 years old. I’ve been experiencing ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) for 7.5 years.  I have three daughters, one son, two stepsons, three grandsons, and one grandson on the way. My family is the center of my life! Before I had ALS, we owned a thriving family business that all of my kids worked in as they became of working age either in the summers or full-time. I invested my savings, 401ks, and pensions acquired over 20 years in a corporate career, into the business.  We took the business from zero sales to $2.7 million in annual revenue in 7 years. Then, my symptoms began. During the next 4 years as my condition worsened, the business declined. I was the primary salesperson, strategist, and manager in the business.  Gradually, my speech and walking became impaired, drastically affecting our sales efforts and ultimately leading to our business’s demise.  We lost everything we had invested into the business over the 11 years. The business and I myself declared bankruptcy, and we liquidated everything. One of the most heartbreaking things I had to do in my life was to let go of all the employees.  My wife and I sold the house we had raised our kids in for a substantial loss. Eventually, my marriage of 16 years crumbled. After the divorce nearly two years ago, my son Johnny and his girlfriend Brittany have been my primary caregivers.  In March of 2020, I required a feeding tube placement because of swallowing issues and shortness of breath while eating.  Johnny has provided 98% of my feedings three times a day, assists me with dressing in the morning, provides breathing treatments in the morning and evening every day, and assists me at bedtime with my bi-pap breathing machine and dressing for bed.  My voice is now very difficult to understand, and I use an application on my phone to assist me. I type, and it talks.  My son or any one person cannot be expected to provide all my care.  My other children live out of state except one daughter. My ALS is the slow-progressing variety so I am probably going to live for many more years. The average prognosis for ALS is 2-5 years, and I have surpassed the average by a wide margin at 7.5 years.  Because I require so much care, a caregiver is required for at least 14 hours per day. Current estimates are that it will cost $80,000 or more out of pocket per year.  I have savings for less than four months of caregiving. One day of caregiving is at least $480. All of your donations will be used to fund my caregiving. What about help from our many safety nets in our country like insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid I asked? Because ALS is a rare condition with a multitude of needs, caregivers require specialty training and certifications and cost more. For example, the requirement for tube feedings three times per day is considered a medical procedure and is very difficult to find caregivers to administer. This requirement alone skyrockets the costs because of the enormous spans of time required. Nursing home facilities are not equipped to handle the many needs of a person with ALS either. The burden always falls to family, friends, and professional caregivers. When you experience a condition such as ALS, every hug from your kids, kiss from the grandchildren, an important conversation with a family member just to listen, and even the sunshine hitting your skin with exquisite warmth take on a special meaning. You notice everything that you were too busy for in the past and truly live in the moment.  I have deep loving relationships with my kids and family that sustains me and makes life so vibrant. I count my blessings each day with enormous gratitude and appreciation because I am surrounded by love.  I’ve always lived my life with a positive vibe and lots of laughing, teasing, and plenty of Dad jokes.    Search Facebook for John Czaplicki Jr. to see pictures of me and my family.  For updates about progress and fun events to be announced, follow me on Facebook.  Also, if you have any questions or ideas for fundraising, please email me.  For donations of $150-$499, I will send you a very cool T-shirt designed by me and my family as a thank you for such a generous donation! For donations of $500 or more, I will send you a high-quality hoodie designed by me and my family to thank you for your generosity! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

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