My Fundraising Center

Michelau. Yes, like the beer.

Welcome, welcome to the team page for Michelau. Yes, like the beer.

I'm sure that many of you know of the ongoing struggle my mom, Mable, has had with Parkinson's disease.  You might not know the details, our family history of this horrific disease ("they're" unsure it's genetic, but with a mother, uncle and grandfather I think it could be, in our family's case anyway) and how it all started for us, the Michelaus.

First off, of the following list, what can you do yourself that you take for granted every day? I know I do.

Eat. 

Eating whatever you want because you can swallow.

Drinking water.

Standing up.

Sitting down.

Walk.

Form a cognizant sentence, phrase or word.

Get dressed.

Go to the bathroom.

Write a letter, sentence, phrase or word.

All I can remember of my grandfather, Albert, was that he was a very sick man.  I remember visiting him at the nursing home.  Him in a wheelchair, unable to speak.  When he would walk, or should I say shuffle, he needed assistance so he wouldn't fall, or at least fall less.  He lived there for 7 years and was in that condition for at least 5. They thought it was PD, but now having seen my uncle go through something similar, it could have been Lewy Body Dementia.  LBD is very similar to PD but progesses much, much faster.  My uncle John, had been diagnosed for about 4 years.  He had only just turned 61.  Yes.  61.  He passed away the morning of March 3rd from complications of this disease.  These diseases are not old people diseases.  They can get you young and fast, like John, or young and slow, like my mom, Mable.  I don't see John and his family often, but I am familiar with the struggles they face.  His young wife and daughters - ages 21 and 14 - shouldn't have to make the decisions they are making for another 15-20 years. 

When I was 22 and was on spring break eating lunch with my mom and grandma, I noticed a slight tremor in my mom?s right hand.  Of course I knew it was PD.  She was 57.  She met up with a neurologist and started on meds right away.  These meds make life easier but can not cure.  Over the past 11 years I have seen my mom slowly transform.  First having to quit her job and go on disability because she was unable to work. Unable to drive or manage her medications.  Forgetting if she fed the cats.  Followed by spending the past 3 years of her life in a nursing home.  Almost a year of that in memory care.  The past 4-5 months in Hospice.  She is only 68.  I spend my Sunday evenings feeding her, giving her a massage and putting her to bed.  She is not a toddler.  She is my mother. 

Not everyone who has PD will have dementia.  But as people with the disease age it?s very common.  While LBD and PD are not exactly the same, donating money to help those with PD will also greatly benefit those with LBD.

Every little bit will help.  Seriously.  Instead of buying that $5 coffee (or in addition to) donate to a very important organization to help not only my family, but all families faced with the disease.

- To join the team please click on "Join Team" in the table below.

- To donate to an individual walker click on their name below.

Michelau. Yes, like the beer.	Raised
Darla Michelau	$2,235.00
Missie Kittok	$200.00