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April 2017 - Here is an update on Mike Kain's ongoing battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease):
The positives are that Mike's appetite, breathing and swallowing have plateaued and his weight and blood pressure are good. Mike's spirit is great and his will to life and continue fighting are as strong as ever!!
The negatives are that Mike's legs, arms and hands are weakening. Mike is no longer able to hold silverware in his hands and his wife Melissa now is feeding him. His appetite is good, but daily activities that all of us take for granted continue to be difficult. Standing up is difficult and holding a pen, shaking hands, tying a button or pulling on clothing are next to impossible for Mike.
January 2016 - My name is Phil Kain. I live in Chicago. I am married to a beautiful woman and I have 3 amazing children.
Growing up, I was the youngest child. I had 2 older sisters and 1 older brother. I was always the tag-along, the 4th wheel. I was always the little brother and often I felt like an afterthought, except around my big brother, Mike. Mike always had time for me. Growing up, my brother was my hero. I always wanted to be like my big brother, Mike. When I spent time with my brother, it felt like time stopped. Those memories are free from any time continuum.
I learned how to make people laugh watching my big brother. Mike taught me to love sports and rock and roll. He took me to my first rock concert. He used to take me for rides in his car, a 1972 Chevy Impala. I felt untouchable. Mike was my first higher power. If I was ever in trouble, I knew that I could go find my big brother and he would fix it. Mike always had time to play catch or shoot baskets with me. Mike liked Led Zeppelin, so I liked Led Zeppelin. Mike watched Hockey, so I watched Hockey. Mike was strong and cool and funny and smart. He could do anything.
3 years ago, Mike realized one of his dreams, when he and his wife moved to Greenville, South Carolina. Mike was so happy when they moved, like I always remembered him when we were younger. I was so proud of him. He felt reborn. In the summer of 2015, Mike and his wife moved into their dream house.
In October 2015, at the age of 51, my big brother Mike was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's Disease. ALS is the disease that inspired the ice bucket challenge. Mike's body is changing and weakening, day by day, week by week. His left side is experiencing almost full paralysis and he wears a brace on his left leg. Mike has stopped driving and is becoming more and more dependent on others. Recently, Mike went on disability from his job and we are expecting that he will need a wheelchair soon.
Mike and his wife need love and support. Mike and his wife are beginning to experience hardship from medical bills and not being able to pay all of the expenses related to their new home. Mike needs money for a wheelchair and to make changes to his home to help him move around, as the disease progresses and he becomes less and less ambulatory.
Mike was always there for me when I needed him, both as a child and as an adult. I pledge to be there for Mike in his time of need and to enjoy every remaining moment that I have with him, on this earth. I will do anything for Mike and I will do anything to ease his pain and suffering. Please join me in helping Mike as he fights this incurable disease.
I will be forever grateful to you for helping my brother to maximize his quality of life and to help him be as comfortable as possible. I don't want Mike's remaining days to be spent worrying about money. Your funds can help relieve Mike and his wife of any concerns over money and will allow him to experience freedom.
The positives are that Mike's appetite, breathing and swallowing have plateaued and his weight and blood pressure are good. Mike's spirit is great and his will to life and continue fighting are as strong as ever!!
The negatives are that Mike's legs, arms and hands are weakening. Mike is no longer able to hold silverware in his hands and his wife Melissa now is feeding him. His appetite is good, but daily activities that all of us take for granted continue to be difficult. Standing up is difficult and holding a pen, shaking hands, tying a button or pulling on clothing are next to impossible for Mike.
January 2016 - My name is Phil Kain. I live in Chicago. I am married to a beautiful woman and I have 3 amazing children.
Growing up, I was the youngest child. I had 2 older sisters and 1 older brother. I was always the tag-along, the 4th wheel. I was always the little brother and often I felt like an afterthought, except around my big brother, Mike. Mike always had time for me. Growing up, my brother was my hero. I always wanted to be like my big brother, Mike. When I spent time with my brother, it felt like time stopped. Those memories are free from any time continuum.
I learned how to make people laugh watching my big brother. Mike taught me to love sports and rock and roll. He took me to my first rock concert. He used to take me for rides in his car, a 1972 Chevy Impala. I felt untouchable. Mike was my first higher power. If I was ever in trouble, I knew that I could go find my big brother and he would fix it. Mike always had time to play catch or shoot baskets with me. Mike liked Led Zeppelin, so I liked Led Zeppelin. Mike watched Hockey, so I watched Hockey. Mike was strong and cool and funny and smart. He could do anything.
3 years ago, Mike realized one of his dreams, when he and his wife moved to Greenville, South Carolina. Mike was so happy when they moved, like I always remembered him when we were younger. I was so proud of him. He felt reborn. In the summer of 2015, Mike and his wife moved into their dream house.
In October 2015, at the age of 51, my big brother Mike was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's Disease. ALS is the disease that inspired the ice bucket challenge. Mike's body is changing and weakening, day by day, week by week. His left side is experiencing almost full paralysis and he wears a brace on his left leg. Mike has stopped driving and is becoming more and more dependent on others. Recently, Mike went on disability from his job and we are expecting that he will need a wheelchair soon.
Mike and his wife need love and support. Mike and his wife are beginning to experience hardship from medical bills and not being able to pay all of the expenses related to their new home. Mike needs money for a wheelchair and to make changes to his home to help him move around, as the disease progresses and he becomes less and less ambulatory.
Mike was always there for me when I needed him, both as a child and as an adult. I pledge to be there for Mike in his time of need and to enjoy every remaining moment that I have with him, on this earth. I will do anything for Mike and I will do anything to ease his pain and suffering. Please join me in helping Mike as he fights this incurable disease.
I will be forever grateful to you for helping my brother to maximize his quality of life and to help him be as comfortable as possible. I don't want Mike's remaining days to be spent worrying about money. Your funds can help relieve Mike and his wife of any concerns over money and will allow him to experience freedom.