Preparing to say good-bye

    My brother, Thomas Schroeck, has been of poor health from the start. Born in 1956 with cystic fybrosis, the doctors told our parents that he might not live past the age of 5. So many years later, he has been a big part of many lives, as there are many out there who have shared countless memories with him.
    Before a hemorragic stroke damaged his brain, he was so incredibly smart, he could have won on jeopardy had he ever taken the chance! He is one of the funniest people I know and anyone that knows him would agree. Always quick with a sarcastic remark, or a joke, and a hearty laugh to match his sense of humor.
    Unfortunately, and with a heavy heart, the reason I have written this is to reach out for help. My big brother has become ill beyond repair. We try our best to keep his spirits up, but regardless of our efforts, he remains miserable, suffering as his body is slowly shutting down on him. We were not prepared for this to happen and we don't really know how much time he has left with us. But we do know that the inevitable is coming soon.
    As we struggle day to day with our own responsibilities, it breaks our hearts that we have no way to afford to give him a proper farewell, without your help. So I am asking please, if you know him, if you have shared a beer or a bowl with him, if you have shared memories with him, or even if you are someone out there with a big heart and want to do something nice today, help us reach our goal, to send him off with pride and dignity.