The Michaelson Family is in desperate need of assistance after their sole breadwinner, Erik, was diagnosed with Atypical Parkinson’s disease late last year and had to go on disability leave.

Additionally, he has been suffering from an autoimmune disorder since his early 20s, finally diagnosed as Ankylosing Spondylitis in 2013. This has caused him lifelong chronic pain due to the fusing of joints in his spine and rib cage. His spine is fused from the SI joint all the way through cervical leaving just a few unfused vertebrae in his cervical. Fusion of his ribs as well as stooped over posture makes breathing difficult at times.

Erik has always worked extremely hard to provide for his family, in spite of his pain, and has, in fact, been working since he was 14 years old. Unfortunately, he will not be able to return to work due to extreme pain and never-ending tremors. Traditional medicine has offered him little to no hope for a return to normal life.

Erik and his wife Summer have two special needs sons for whom Summer left the work force to care. Hunter and Ben both have autism and Ben has a grand mal seizure disorder, requiring full time care. Summer now provides additional care for Erik as he is only able to leave the bed for a few hours each day.

Unfortunately, they have no family resources to fall back on and community resources are scarce. They are in desperate need of a miracle.

While they are working through the social security and disability process, they need assistance with household expenses and medical expenses.

This frustrating and cumbersome process could take more than a year to navigate and their financial resources just won’t last that long.

The Michaelson Family would be very grateful for any help.