"Help Mike Fight" / ALS Fund
Donation protected
Friends just don't get any better than Mike Teal.
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) has been referred to as “The Nice Gene Disease”. If that is the case, then it has unfortunately hit a bullseye this time. Our friend Mike received his diagnosis in September. (More about this currently incurable disease can be found here: ALS: Mayo Clinic )
With all the attributes of one who follows the Golden Rule, Mike is also an essential ingredient to happy times. A good joke automatically becomes a great one when Mike is there to add his one-of-a-kind, full-bodied reaction, and wide-open laughter to it. A good conversation is always better when it includes Mike’s genuine curiosity and interest in life and those around him. This is a purely good man. Those of us who have him in our lives are blessed, and we know it.
Mike is associated with many things to his friends and community: The owner of a local favorite retail gift store, the former counselor-to-many and owner of “The Fly Shop,” an avid and delightfully bantering Gator fan since birth, a “Roll-Tide” Bama man since his college days, an optimistic but terrible bluffer among his poker-group comrades (nice guys just don’t lie well), and no matter what the setting or environment, his friendship is steadfast and deep-rooted while providing cool and easy comfort to those who have sought to lean on him through the years.
Mike’s wife Lauren and daughter Emily are his heart and foundation. Mike first met Lauren when she was working behind the counter at his mother Judy’s store, My Favorite Things (which Mike and Lauren now own). Now, after their recent 21st wedding anniversary and managing the challenges of retail, they face their greatest challenge...again together, and head on. They somehow manage to do this with a selfless and appreciative smile, all while eagerly anticipating the next update from their daughter Emily’s first year at The University of Alabama. When Mike’s phone receives even the simplest of texts or photos from Emily, you can rest assured that you have lost your audience and he has gone deep (very deep) into “Proud Papa mode,” relishing every detail of any message or image that Emily has shared. He loves his little girl and is thrilled to see her grasping and enjoying what life offers.
While we all hope and pray for a cure, each of us can provide support in any number of ways; this site is just one of those: A means to financially contribute to whatever needs or desired distractions that may arise as this great person and family face their future. 100% of the proceeds from this site will go to Mike and his family.
Goal: $50,000. Funds will be used to support....
* Health care administration support
* Co-pays and any uncovered health care costs
* Home accessibility/use alterations
* Transportation needs
* Emily’s college education
* Other unexpected and/or needed support
* If possible, a family trip to…(wherever Mike wants to go)
On behalf of Mike’s friends and “band-of-brothers” who are championing this site, however you can provide support of any kind to Mike and his family is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) has been referred to as “The Nice Gene Disease”. If that is the case, then it has unfortunately hit a bullseye this time. Our friend Mike received his diagnosis in September. (More about this currently incurable disease can be found here: ALS: Mayo Clinic )
With all the attributes of one who follows the Golden Rule, Mike is also an essential ingredient to happy times. A good joke automatically becomes a great one when Mike is there to add his one-of-a-kind, full-bodied reaction, and wide-open laughter to it. A good conversation is always better when it includes Mike’s genuine curiosity and interest in life and those around him. This is a purely good man. Those of us who have him in our lives are blessed, and we know it.
Mike is associated with many things to his friends and community: The owner of a local favorite retail gift store, the former counselor-to-many and owner of “The Fly Shop,” an avid and delightfully bantering Gator fan since birth, a “Roll-Tide” Bama man since his college days, an optimistic but terrible bluffer among his poker-group comrades (nice guys just don’t lie well), and no matter what the setting or environment, his friendship is steadfast and deep-rooted while providing cool and easy comfort to those who have sought to lean on him through the years.
Mike’s wife Lauren and daughter Emily are his heart and foundation. Mike first met Lauren when she was working behind the counter at his mother Judy’s store, My Favorite Things (which Mike and Lauren now own). Now, after their recent 21st wedding anniversary and managing the challenges of retail, they face their greatest challenge...again together, and head on. They somehow manage to do this with a selfless and appreciative smile, all while eagerly anticipating the next update from their daughter Emily’s first year at The University of Alabama. When Mike’s phone receives even the simplest of texts or photos from Emily, you can rest assured that you have lost your audience and he has gone deep (very deep) into “Proud Papa mode,” relishing every detail of any message or image that Emily has shared. He loves his little girl and is thrilled to see her grasping and enjoying what life offers.
While we all hope and pray for a cure, each of us can provide support in any number of ways; this site is just one of those: A means to financially contribute to whatever needs or desired distractions that may arise as this great person and family face their future. 100% of the proceeds from this site will go to Mike and his family.
Goal: $50,000. Funds will be used to support....
* Health care administration support
* Co-pays and any uncovered health care costs
* Home accessibility/use alterations
* Transportation needs
* Emily’s college education
* Other unexpected and/or needed support
* If possible, a family trip to…(wherever Mike wants to go)
On behalf of Mike’s friends and “band-of-brothers” who are championing this site, however you can provide support of any kind to Mike and his family is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Organizer
Margaret Smith Lamb
Organizer
Tallahassee, FL
