Help Kurt Swanson & Lisa Schwartz

Thank you to all who donated to this Go Fund Me and to those who also gave their support in other ways this last year.

We lost our dear sweet Kurt late last night.

Your love, support, donations, food, work on the house and so many other things have been so so appreciated by Lisa, Oliver and Kurt.

You enabled Kurt to stay in the home he knew and be surrounded by those he loved until the end.

Know you made a big difference to him in the final year of his life.

On Behalf of Lisa and Oliver - Thank you thank you - from the bottom of our hearts ❤️

This fund raiser is now closed.

My name is Nancy Andrews. Rob and I are fundraising for our dear, dear friends, Kurt Swanson, Oliver Swanson and Lisa Schwartz.

Kurt has recently been diagnosed with the debilitating disease ALS.

ALS, is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in complete loss of muscle control. It is progressive, debilitating and as of now, there is no cure.

Funds are greatly needed at this time to provide 24-hour care, help make their home handicap accessible and help supplement loss of income.

After 4 years of college art school, Lisa went on to grad school, where she met Kurt.

Lisa and Kurt were immediately attracted to each other and bonded over a love of art, design and glassblowing. They soon found themselves spending all their time together. Two years later, by the time they graduated grad school, they were deeply in love.

They moved to Putnam County, New York, where they made a home in Lisa's Dad's weekend house. A renovation of the barn into a glass-blowing studio and their business, Pinkwater Glass, was born.

Lisa and Kurt lived together, worked together, designed together and began to build a wonderful home and beautiful life together.

Realizing they wanted to be together for the rest of their lives, they were married. Lisa and Kurt's love grew deeper and their bond stronger as they made a happy family with the joyous birth of their son, Oliver.

As a loving father and supportive husband, Kurt has been a vital and important part of his family. His talents are many. He has been an expert designer, glass blower, woodworker and helper in the home. His quiet strength, good work ethic and selfless ways have always been grounding for those around him.

A new business of mead making was just beginning to take off when

some recent neck pain resulted in the shocking and unexpected diagnosis of ALS. Kurt's disease came with no warning. Since the discovery, the results of his body changes have been swift and devastating. He can no longer walk unassisted and his hands do not work properly. His breathing is compromised and he can no longer eat solid foods without an aid watching to be sure he swallows properly. Speech is slurred and the neck pain is excruciating. Kurt is currently out of the hospital and at home but it is very difficult for him to speak, eat and move about. Undoubtedly, all this will only get worse, resulting in total loss of all body functions.

Funds for 24 hour nursing care and handicapped home renovations are only the beginning of the support Lisa and Kurt need as they try to keep Kurt in the wonderful, loving home he has known, all while navigating this devastating disease.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support and contribution. It is greatly, greatly appreciated.

Warmly,

Nancy Andrews and Robert Schall