Mike's Lake Tahoe Experience
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
This is my cousin Mike (son of Scot and Jody Marquardt and brother of Jennifer Marquardt-Wisch). Many of you who will see this page know him and no introduction is necessary because he is one who leaves a lasting impression, good or bad :P (this entire thing will be full of jabs - that’s just how we roll (yes, that’s another one there)). For those of you who don’t know him, I will do a little story telling…
Mike was born and raised in Fort Atkinson, WI. We are the same age, so we grew up together. Causing trouble where ever we could. Building bike ramps to jump over, playing baseball in the yard, running through the sand pit behind his house, burning ants with magnifying glasses (I know, I know, I feel guilt to this day), giving our sisters and parents hell constantly, thinking we struck gold when at the hunting cabin up north and stumbling upon Playboy magazines from 1970 that didn't even actually show anything - you know, typical small town kid stuff. Mike also played football and loved to go fishing and to airshows with his dad and grandpa.
When Mike was 13 he was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia, a neuromuscular disease that mainly affects the nervous system and the heart (https://www.mda.org/disease/friedreichs-ataxia). By high school he was using a wheelchair. And now at 31, he requires a specialized power chair to get around and multiple daily visits from a CNA. Recently, Mike was hospitalized with pneumonia, kidney failure and more. Which is what made me realize I need to get my butt in gear and work on giving him something he has been wanting to experience before it’s too late - I know that sounds morbid, but he would say the same thing, being the realist he is.
Mike's dream is to go to Lake Tahoe. To enjoy the amazing scenery. To escape from the hustle and bustle and craziness of society. There is a resort there that is renowned for its accessibility for folks with disabilities. It of course is not cheap - but it would offer him the most comfort and ability to do things in the area. He said he would be happy staying at a cheap motel - but this resort would have so much more to offer him and would make the experience so much easier and more enjoyable. Here is a link to the resort: www.squawcreek.com. They offer free breakfast and have restaurants and activities on site that will make everything simple and easy.
We would love to send Mike to this amazing resort at Lake Tahoe for a week during his birthday in July. So he can see this natural wonder and experience some mountain time that he so longs for.
Now, anyone who knows Mike knows that he is stubborn. Much too stubborn to ask for help, even when it’s needed. I am that way as well and understand it, but I also understand how many people care for Mike and his family and who would be more than happy to help out. And I believe that asking you all for a little help might collectively make his big dream a possibility.
The goal I have set here is a rough estimate of getting room accommodations for a week, airfare, airport transfers, food/activity money (all for two people as an aide will be traveling with him), trip insurance and medical equipment rental/delivery.
The main goal here is to get Mike and his aide there, for as long as possible. And any extra money will be used for the usual things this fund for Mike has been used for in the past - wheelchair van maintenance, dental work, other medical bills, etc.
Every little bit helps and every little bit is appreciated, even simply sharing this with others is helpful. We are lucky to have so many friends and family members who are such caring and wonderful people.
If anyone is more interested in sending a check or donating at the bank if that makes you more comfortable, there is an account set up at UW Credit Union - you can visit/call there or even feel free to mail anything to my aunt, Julie, who will ensure it is deposited to Mike’s account.
Make checks payable to:
Michael Marquardt Fund
Mail to:
Julie Marino
W7666 Stacey Lane
Whitewater, WI 53190
Contact Julie Marino or Van Brom with any questions via the contact link on this page or Facebook.
Again we appreciate your help. While Mike and his family need to deal with the day to day needs/struggles to ensure he is healthy and happy, we are glad we are able to help him achieve this special goal. Thank you and please help spread the word!
P.S. - I bet he’s going to be a little mad we did this….and that's just too damn bad. I’ll ask him how mad he is when he is sitting on the shore of Lake Tahoe this summer ;)
This is my cousin Mike (son of Scot and Jody Marquardt and brother of Jennifer Marquardt-Wisch). Many of you who will see this page know him and no introduction is necessary because he is one who leaves a lasting impression, good or bad :P (this entire thing will be full of jabs - that’s just how we roll (yes, that’s another one there)). For those of you who don’t know him, I will do a little story telling…
Mike was born and raised in Fort Atkinson, WI. We are the same age, so we grew up together. Causing trouble where ever we could. Building bike ramps to jump over, playing baseball in the yard, running through the sand pit behind his house, burning ants with magnifying glasses (I know, I know, I feel guilt to this day), giving our sisters and parents hell constantly, thinking we struck gold when at the hunting cabin up north and stumbling upon Playboy magazines from 1970 that didn't even actually show anything - you know, typical small town kid stuff. Mike also played football and loved to go fishing and to airshows with his dad and grandpa.
When Mike was 13 he was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia, a neuromuscular disease that mainly affects the nervous system and the heart (https://www.mda.org/disease/friedreichs-ataxia). By high school he was using a wheelchair. And now at 31, he requires a specialized power chair to get around and multiple daily visits from a CNA. Recently, Mike was hospitalized with pneumonia, kidney failure and more. Which is what made me realize I need to get my butt in gear and work on giving him something he has been wanting to experience before it’s too late - I know that sounds morbid, but he would say the same thing, being the realist he is.
Mike's dream is to go to Lake Tahoe. To enjoy the amazing scenery. To escape from the hustle and bustle and craziness of society. There is a resort there that is renowned for its accessibility for folks with disabilities. It of course is not cheap - but it would offer him the most comfort and ability to do things in the area. He said he would be happy staying at a cheap motel - but this resort would have so much more to offer him and would make the experience so much easier and more enjoyable. Here is a link to the resort: www.squawcreek.com. They offer free breakfast and have restaurants and activities on site that will make everything simple and easy.
We would love to send Mike to this amazing resort at Lake Tahoe for a week during his birthday in July. So he can see this natural wonder and experience some mountain time that he so longs for.
Now, anyone who knows Mike knows that he is stubborn. Much too stubborn to ask for help, even when it’s needed. I am that way as well and understand it, but I also understand how many people care for Mike and his family and who would be more than happy to help out. And I believe that asking you all for a little help might collectively make his big dream a possibility.
The goal I have set here is a rough estimate of getting room accommodations for a week, airfare, airport transfers, food/activity money (all for two people as an aide will be traveling with him), trip insurance and medical equipment rental/delivery.
The main goal here is to get Mike and his aide there, for as long as possible. And any extra money will be used for the usual things this fund for Mike has been used for in the past - wheelchair van maintenance, dental work, other medical bills, etc.
Every little bit helps and every little bit is appreciated, even simply sharing this with others is helpful. We are lucky to have so many friends and family members who are such caring and wonderful people.
If anyone is more interested in sending a check or donating at the bank if that makes you more comfortable, there is an account set up at UW Credit Union - you can visit/call there or even feel free to mail anything to my aunt, Julie, who will ensure it is deposited to Mike’s account.
Make checks payable to:
Michael Marquardt Fund
Mail to:
Julie Marino
W7666 Stacey Lane
Whitewater, WI 53190
Contact Julie Marino or Van Brom with any questions via the contact link on this page or Facebook.
Again we appreciate your help. While Mike and his family need to deal with the day to day needs/struggles to ensure he is healthy and happy, we are glad we are able to help him achieve this special goal. Thank you and please help spread the word!
P.S. - I bet he’s going to be a little mad we did this….and that's just too damn bad. I’ll ask him how mad he is when he is sitting on the shore of Lake Tahoe this summer ;)
Organizer and beneficiary
Van Brom
Organizer
Fort Atkinson, WI
Julie Marino
Beneficiary
