Help Timothy Jenks Jr dream come true

Our son was diagnosed with a rare disease called Cerebellum ataxia. On May 7th we will be having a benefit to raise money to make his end of life wish come true and funeral expanses. We are looking for donations from area businesses. Here is his story. He is only 29 yrs young and has lost so much over the course of his life. Donate if you are able, Share to get the word out, and please keep him in your daily prayers!

Timmy, at age 8/9 years old, started losing his hearing. We didn’t realize at the time because his school chalked it up to “selective hearing”. Many IEP meetings were attended in those early years to get him an FM unit. We had to fight for it because the schools insisted it was selective hearing.

Timmy’s hearing continued to diminish, so we fought for him to attend Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD). It wasn’t until 7th grade that we got him enrolled. Once there, he thrived and became fluent in sign. He made friends and stayed involved in extra-curricular activities including football, basketball and cheerleading teams. After MSD he attended Port Huron Northern, where he was in marching band. He graduated in 2013.

He then attended Michigan Career Technical Institute (MCTI) to learn different trades such as cabinet building and landscaping.

In 2015, he went to Minnesota Conservation Corps and worked 6 weeks in the summer. During this time his balance was off, but he continued to give 100%. He came home, got an apartment and was able to live independently until about 2018.

At the age of 23, he started walking with a cane full time to help him balance. After a battery of tests, they first diagnosed him with Stiff Man Syndrome, then Charcot Tooth Disease, and then finally Cerebellum Ataxia. He also has an extreme case of scoliosis.

From relying and leaning heavily on his cane for three years he developed a severe case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Thereafter, at age 26 he used a walker for a year, until 2021 when he needed to be in a wheelchair almost full time.

Now at the tender age of 29, when he should be settling into a career, falling in love and starting a family, he has instead racked up more relationships with doctors than girls. From neurologists to ENTs, all the doctors say the same thing: “He’s a puzzle.”

From this point forward he’ll need 24-hour care. His condition has deteriorated to the point where he can no longer do the things he loves, such as playing video games because his eye sight is failing and his hands can no longer grip the controller.

Sadly, after all the years of searching and fighting for what’s best for Timmy (now “Tim. Jr.”) his story is rapidly coming to a close with mountains of questions and no answers.

The doctors now say his condition is terminal. Tim Jr.’s dying wish is simple, yet profound- He wants to see the ocean again before he dies.

There will be a benefit held on:

Saturday, May 7, 2022, 1:00-6:00 p.m.

VFW Hall, 3815 Knapp Ave., Port Huron, MI 48060

$10 (in advance) $12 at the door, 12 & under - $7 and 4 & under - FREE

TICKETS GO ON SALE MARCH 15TH @ RAVEN CAFE, DOWNTOWN PORT HURON

Donations are being also being accepted for this event.

You can email [email redacted]

[email redacted]

[email redacted]

Funds raised will go toward his wheelchair transport van’s maintenance, helping

him get to the ocean and, finally, his end of life expenses.

Sincerely The Jenks Family

& Dye Family