Support Bernie Dyreson's Battle for Mobility

I am posting this fundraiser for our dear friend, Bernard “Bernie” Dyreson, who is fighting a battle to regain the neural connections between his brain and body, which will give him the ability to move his limbs and perform bodily functions again.

Bernie was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a very rare disease that causes inflammation of the spinal cord. The swelling damages the nerves and can leave permanent scars or lesions on the myelin sheath, the protective covering around nerve fibers. This damage disrupts the transmission of nerve signals, leading to interruption in the communication between the nerves and the rest of the body and various neurological systems. The cause is still unknown, but believed to have been caused by a virus or an auto immune disease. The Mayo Clinic performed every test they had for this disease, but all came back with negative results.

Bernie can feel people touching him. He just doesn’t have control of his limbs. He still has his mind and can talk, breath and swallow on his own. These are all positives which means he does not have a complete spinal injury. However, recovery can take up to a year or more.

On July 20, 2024, Bernie went to use the bathroom and got a sharp pain in his neck. Within hours, he lost the use of all his limbs, paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Over the next two months he was hospitalized at United Hospital, St. Paul and Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, as a quadriplegic while doctors tried to figure out what was causing his paralysis. Various treatments focused on reducing the inflammation and managing symptoms, with options including intravenous steroids, plasma exchange, and medications for pain and other complications, as well as physical and occupational therapies.

While there is no cure for transverse myelitis, some people recover fully, while others may experience long-term problems. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications. Salty sailor that he is, Bernie committed himself to making a recovery.

Over the next 6 months, he was an inpatient at Courage Kenny Rehab, Minneapolis VA Med Center, and Waconia Good Samaritan Rehab Center undergoing significant rehabilitation treatments. He regained partial use of his right hand but his other limbs remain much less functional. The VA provided him with a mobility chair that allows him to move around the facilities and allows him to recline and stand, thus reducing pressure sores.

His prognosis remains unknown with him confined to a mobility chair. He continues to need assistance with eating, personal hygiene, incontinence, due to loss of muscle control, getting dressed and many other things we take for granted. He and Denise are looking for a long-term location to continue his therapy. They were forced to sell their multi-level home in Delano and purchased a single level home in Howard Lake that needs to be renovated to meet Bernie’s medical needs. This is in anticipation of Bernie coming home or at least spending time with family outside a medical facility. If he can live at home, he will need in-home medical care. He is one tough cookie and is valiant in his resolve to win this battle.

A little history: Bernie Dyreson grew up on a farm in Barneveld, WI. His father passed away in an accident and his mom had six other children besides Bernie. He left home at 13 to reduce the burden on his mother. He worked and lived with a local dairy farmer as a farm hand and continued his schooling. In high school, he was on the football and basketball teams. In his senior year, his coaches urged him to take up wrestling. To their surprise, he won his match at the championship meet.

After he graduated high school, Bernie was sure he would be drafted for the Vietnam War, so he joined the Navy in 1969. He served in many different duty stations as an aeronautical engineer and repair technician. His awards include Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, three Overseas Service Awards, Navy Unit Commendation, Sea Service Award, four Good Conduct Medals and three Meritorious Unit Commendations. He retired in 1989 as an E-9 Master Chief Avionics Technician after over 20 years of active-duty service.

In 1989, Bernie moved to Delano where he eventually met and married Denise. They have been happily married for over 30 years.

After retirement from the Navy, Bernie worked for the Edina Postal Service and painted houses as a side business. He retired from the Post Office after 16 years and started a painting business with his son, Shane. After five or six years, he retired and left the business to his son, circa 2012. Bernie remained active in veterans causes at both the Delano American Legion and the Wright County VFW.

One evening while at the Legion, Bernie overheard a man relating that his dialysis was no longer working. His kidneys had been removed, and no one would donate a kidney to a 70-year-old. Bernie got that feeling that he had to help. Bernie firmly believes it was God’s will that put him there to help Bud. Unbeknownst to Denise, Bernie went through 3 months of testing and was found to be a match. Only then did Bernie tell Denise this was something he had to do. Bernie donated one of his kidneys that gave Bud eleven more years.

Bernie is no stranger to life’s struggles and will tell you that calm seas do not make good sailors! He has been very active in the community and has always been there to lend a hand up to those in need or support worthy causes. Even though in significant pain from many service-related health issues, he never said no to getting done what needed to be done. He embodies the true spirit of caring and supporting for so many others, near and far.

Bernie loves fishing, tinkering in the garage and spending time with his family and he is justly proud of their accomplishments. He continues to have a quick wit and a great sense of humor. It is a joy to see the love and caring fun that emanates from both he and Denise.

His treatment and hospitalization have resulted in extensive life changes for Bernie and Denise. The need for continuing medical care and for making changes to accommodate a mobility chair will certainly be a strain on their finances.

The support received from friends and others far and wide, especially the prayers of dedicated prayer warriors, who are focusing God’s healing power on Bernie and lending divine guidance to the hands of skilled caregivers has not gone unnoticed. This is so powerful and has certainly been a key factor in his progress.

We have started this Go Fund Me to help ease the burden of medical care expenses on his family. Over the next months and years ahead they will need to be at countless doctor appointments, rehabilitation treatment facilities, and require home medical care. As you can imagine, these costs can be astronomical. Bernie is a fighter and is committed to winning this battle but needs some help to get there!

From the bottom of our hearts we humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family and, if possible, provide much needed support (any amount will be greatly appreciated). We hope you will be able to help support Bernie and his family as he travels the path to recovery.

We thank you in advance for your support and ask God’s blessings on each of you!