Help Jeremy and Liko Take Care of Shelly

Shelly Doo has been diagnosed with Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease (NIID), a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease. Think: Parkinson's + early onset dementia. Though Shelly gets better and worse, and has good days and bad days, there is no cure and no prospect for recovery.

Shelly’s father, Wayne, is retired and is taking care of her almost around the clock in Honolulu, Hawaii. He drives her to her medical appointments and tends to her many daily needs. She also gets occasional much-appreciated visits from family members. But even with the best of care, she misses her friends and her son, she’s understimulated, and she spends a lot of time in severe emotional and physical pain.

We are raising money to subsidize travel for myself and our son, Liko, between Oakland and Honolulu, ideally once a month. You can also donate airline miles directly to Jeremy.

What does it mean for us to be able to travel on a regular basis to visit Shelly? It means, first and foremost, that Shelly's father gets relief from caregiving. Tending to her needs and keeping her safe is a 24/7 task. Wayne doesn’t have the support he needs and deserves. Liko and I want to give him that support by being part of her care team.

It also means that Shelly will stay in touch with her Liko and with me as she approaches the end of her life. She and I have been best friends for 33 years and it’s painful to all three of us not to be able to maintain a close connection during this time.

Most of all, it means that Shelly will feel as loved as possible as her mind fades and her body falters.

Please help if you can. Any amount at all will make a difference. Airline miles help as well.