Mike's Airbed Fund

After having symptoms of progressive muscle disease for many years, my brother Mike was diagnosed with minicore myopathy  approximately 15 years ago.  Since that time, his muscles have continued to weaken and he has been bedridden for the past 8 years, unable to use his legs.  His diaphragm is so weak that he relies on a Trilogy bipap machine  (also used for ALS patients) for every breath.  Because the machine works best for Mike when he is on his back and slightly elevated, he has developed stage 1, 2, and 3 decubitus ulcers on his hips despite great care.  A stage 3 pressure is a crater that breaks through the skin and extends into the tissue under the skin.  Without pressure relief, the crater continues to deepen, going through the muscle and into the bone and is considered stage 4 at this point.  Pressure sores do not heal without relief from the pressure causing them.  Infection often occurs and moves into the bloodstream causing sepsis which would be life threatening for Mike in his condition.  Even though his insurance company knows this, they refuse to pay for an airbed because Mike does not have stage 4 pressure sores! An airbed is the only way he can have relief from the pressure. 

Despite Mike having such a poor quality of life and living with constant pain from his raw backside, he loves people, still has a quick wit and sharp mind and only last year was forced to retire from his work-from-home job with TVA.  This week Mike had his 63rd birthday and my family was able to celebrate with him.  After this, my brother and sister and I determined to do something, anything, to ease his level of suffering and improve his quality of life.  If you want to help him, this is one way.  Prayers are very appreciated and a visit or a facebook message would lift his spirits greatly.  Thank you.