Support Jimmy Gann in his fight with Parkinson's

Please see latest update. Thank you

Hi, my name is Janice. I’m organizing this fundraiser for one of the warmest, kindest, most-sincere human beings on this earth and my loving husband, Jimmy Gann, A.K.A Johnny Stingray, as some of you may know him from his Punk music days. I honestly can’t even explain the pain you feel witnessing the love of your life fighting for theirs like this. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with a relatively aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the protean bearer of the brain, nerve cells and muscular system. This form mimics ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) at this point. Jim's symptoms began in late 2018, immediately following his hospitalization and surgery for Prostate Cancer.

We thought all was good, but at the same time, something was not right with Jim. His recovery was not going as we expected. Jim’s movement, walking, speech and comprehension were all off. Things started going downhill at an alarming rate. Jim kept saying that he came back “stupid.” He was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019. The general lifespan of Parkinson’s is 9 to 12 years. Jim’s disease is much more accelerated at this point. It has taken over our life. Six weeks ago, he was walking (not well) but with a cane, moving around the apartment, getting what he needed or wanted. Now he is wheelchair-bound with minimal use of his body, just getting out of his chair has become a challenge and, at times, a nightmare; his speech is deteriorating quickly. I don’t even know what he is saying to me most of the time.

Now the real battle begins: physically, emotionally and financially.

Parkinson’s has turned out to be a very expensive disease that wreaks havoc in every possible way. Not only are we dealing with the daily challenges of Jim’s physical needs, but comes the cost of many things. This last week a wheelchair was delivered for Jim. The chair was to be used at home and taking him to appointments. The issue is that we are on the second story with a circular staircase. This wonderful, helpful wheelchair turned out to be 50 lbs. Somehow I was expected to be able to take Jim and the chair up and down the stairs without any help. I was forced to quickly find a new chair for Jim with no idea how to pay for it. This has now become the norm for us.

I haven’t left my husband's side for the last three years, Covid aside.

First, it was just his mobility or lack thereof. The two things that Parkinson's patients have to be concerned with are falling and choking. Jim’s thing has been falling; almost daily I have had to pick him up off the floor. He has fallen in the street, on his face, in the stairwell breaking his ankle, off the sofa, off the bed, even off the toilet. Now Jim is at the point of needing 24-hour care. At times it will take me three days to be able to get to the market for milk. To get Jim out of the house for any appointments, we have to hire two men to carry him down to the car and back.

There is possibly good news on the horizon. The first is that the Dr.s are talking about DBS surgery. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that uses implanted electrodes and electrical stimulation to treat movement disorders associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), essential tremor, dystonia and other neurological conditions. More to come as we know it.

Jim is one of those kind of Michigan boys that moved to California following a dream and a girlfriend, as so many do. When living in Santa Monica with his girlfriend and her brother. Jimmy became Johnny Stingray and one of the founding members of The Controllers and KAOS. Both became well-known 70’s California punk bands. The Controllers' last performance was New Year 2019. Just before Jim started to get sick, he still is working on and putting work out, just not the same way. This work keeps him alive and going for as long as he can.

Ronn Spencer

One thing that gave Jim great joy was going out for the day on his bike. He would ride 50 to 100 miles to the beach and the Santa Monica mountains before heading home. The saddest day for me was when I had to give away Jim’s bike, knowing that he would never be on it again.

Parkinson's has bestowed upon us an overwhelming financial burden. I had to stop working three years ago to be Jim as his sole caretaker and to spend precious time together. Jim and I have been left shouldering many immediate and ongoing expenses, such as

. Making our home wheelchair accessible

. Insurance and out of pocket costs, co-pays (Jim has one drug alone with a $500. co-pay)

. Assistive technology and mobility aids, electric wheelchair (or adaptive equipment)

. Medical equipment

. In-home assistance (i.e., average $30 to $75/hour).

. Loss of income from not being able to work

. Needs will be changing as Jim’s disease progresses

Jim and I encourage you to please share this GoFundMe page, both far and wide, on social media sites, with family, friends or anyone else you feel comfortable with. The more people that see this, the better.

As they say, No donation is too small. We greatly appreciate every penny that is donated to help us with the financial burden of Jim’s disease.

GoFundMe has a giving guarantee to protect your donation. All donations are also tax-deductible.

We are grateful for the outpouring of all your love and support as you follow our story and journey. Please feel free to reach out to Jim or me. Thank you again for reading our story and being willing to touch a life and make a difference. God bless.

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”

Love, Jimmy & Janice