Making plans
Janet and I started talking today about the next rally. I think Rob had hoped we’d take a little time off, but I can’t stop. There’s this huge, gaping hole in my life and the only way to fill it up is to try to right the wrong that killed Mike.
It gets harder as our birthday approaches — we always called each other in the morning to sing, “Happy birthday to MEEEE!” We each considered the day our own personal national holiday and pretended that we wanted it to ourselves. I loved sharing my birthday with him. I joked all his life that he could have the birthday when I was done with it. I never really believed he would be gone before he could have it to himself, and I think I’m done with it now.
So, we’ll keep making noise, tying to make sure we can prevent this loss in other families. We’ll be in the Raleigh-Durham area in April, probably in Durham, since that’s where Mike finally found the care he should have had earlier.
Then we’re talking about Providence, RI, in July, since our own events planner, Christina, is there. Then maybe we’ll go back to Savannah in August and Asheville again in the fall.
Of course, our dream is a march on Washington to rival anything that’s been there before. That will come if we don’t see change.
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
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