Support Joe Brooks’ Liver Disease Care

Hey all,

This is Emi, Joe's one and only kid. I am hoping to gather those who have had the pleasure of knowing my dad in an effort to support him in a time of desperate need.

I will start by saying I feel very lucky to have been raised by this guy. Among other things, my dad sent me down a long road of music appreciation, and despite his well-defined taste, never forced me to like or believe anything. We used to joke that we were 'progressive' because I always called him 'Joe' instead of dad. That tendency to do what feels right, rather than what is expected, might be the most valuable thing he's taught me.

The circumstance my dad is in today is one that has been unfolding over the past few months, and it has become increasingly clear that what we don't have much of is time. The clinical name of Joe's condition is ESLD (End-Stage Liver Disease) . He is currently is being kept afloat by things like dialysis, though his ability to tolerate these life-saving procedures is waining. The handsome guy in the photo is still here, albeit skinnier and a bit sleepier.

My dad's ability to teach a mixture of old and new ways is one that I am not alone in being affected by. For almost a decade my dad taught history to middle schoolers in Guilford, VT, where he started a student-run newspaper that still exists to this day. For Joe, education and community were inseparable, each informing the other on how human connection is built and maintained. He later applied this ethos to a long-running series of workshops for teachers, coaching them on how to transform their static curriculums into active, interwoven parts of their surrounding communities.

I am asking for funds that will be used to give my dad the dignity and comfort he deserves for this part of his life. I am also faced with living 3,000 miles away from the hospital, so a portion of the funds will be used so that I can afford to be with him when he needs me the most. In the worst case scenario, funds will be used to tie up any loose ends and honor my dad as best I can. Thank you for reading and cheers to you all.

Any amount of support, whether it be financial or simply a kind message is deeply appreciated.