Help Mike Get to Arizona
These past few years have been quite a roller coaster of emotions. My husband and I have been caring for my brother-in-law, Mikey, who was born with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy and was expected to live to about 15 years old. He will be 49 this February! What a miracle! Most days have been great, filled with adventures, movie days, walks, and giving him any food or goodies he wants. And recently we have added a bubbly addition to our family, Emilee, who just adores her uncle and can brighten up his face anytime.
He continues to amaze us all, but his body is having a hard time keeping up and things have taken a turn for the worst.
This past Christmas Day, Mikey was admitted to the ICU in hopes of saving his life. After several weeks of stabilization, Mikey has yet again beat all odds and is able to maintain a steady heartbeat. However, he is not able to come back home due to his critical care condition. For now, we are able to sustain him at a short-term hospital care facility located in San Leandro, CA. He is able to stay here for 10-30 days while we figure out how to get him transferred into a long-term care facility located in Tucson, Arizona. His youngest brother John David (my husband) has been caring for Mikey since he was a kid. And to this day, JD would do anything for Mikey. JD is such a giving person that he is not willing to ask for anything from friends or family. So here I am, setting up a Go-Fund-Me account for Mikey, yes; but moreso for my husband.
We were so glad to hear that Mikey is able to get set up in long-term care and that he has decided to continue fighting this enduring battle. But it comes at a cost... The only way to transer Mikey to the long-term Respiratory Specialty Care Facility located in Tuscon, Arizona is by air (which must include a respiratory therapist to travel with him) and we were just given a hefty price tag of about $14k. However, here he will have a better life, better air quality, warmer days for him to venture outside, and close relatives for him to visit (not to mention the 6 nephews and nieces eager to hang out with him and keep him young). Getting Mikey established in a permanent respiratory facility will also take the stress off my husband of trying to figure out day-to-day how to care for his ailing brother.
If there is any way to find it in your hearts to provide any amount of donation for airfare to transport Mikey to Arizona we would be so appreciative. No amount is too little.
We would also be so gracious if any family or friends can volunteer their time to visit Mikey while he is still with us here in San Leandro, and with us here on Earth. Also, if ANYBODY has time to send a letter or email of encouragement to both Mikey and my husband, it would just warm my heart and make them smile just to know there are people out there who care and have them in your thoughts. I know our lives are busy and full of agendas, but this would be almost worth more than any dollar amount.
If anyone has cared for a family member, you know how hard it can be. This family is very much deserving of having a gift as such, the gift of life. Thank you for your time, efforts and good thoughts. God Bless.
To learn more about Duchenne Mucsular Dystrophy, visit: https://www.mda.org/disease/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy
