Dear Family, Friends and supporters, There are truly no words big enough to express the gratitude we feel for your outpouring of support.  The fundraiser held for Mike and me touched our hearts more deeply than words can express. It has been humbling and hard for us to find ourselves on the receiving end of such kindness. Asking for help, or even accepting it has never been easy for us. Yet through your overwhelming support, we have been reminded of the beauty of community, friendship and selfless love. Although Mike’s health continues to decline, your generosity is helping ease some of the heavy burdens we carry. Because of you, we are able to start making some much needed repairs to our home, turning it into a safer, more comfortable and less worrisome place for him to live. That peace of mind is a gift we never could repay. Every donation, every prayer, and every encouraging word has been a source of strength and comfort. Your generosity has not only eased some of burdens...

After seeing the report today on Autism delivered by Robert F. Kennedy Jr- Secretary of Health and Human services, I am compelled to share my thoughts. First of all, I am not commenting from a political stance, especially because in the case of RFK jr, I am not supportive or unsupportive of him, I honestly haven’t formed an opinion on him yet. As far as the topic of this news conference I am commenting on, some will disagree with me and that is ok. Autism is near and dear to my heart as I have worked with individuals with autism for over 20 years. I also have a few family members on the spectrum. I don’t agree with the way RFK jr is delivering his opinion, however, I think that anyone with an autistic child (as well as a child with anything that has been discriminated against) is going to be defensive. I don’t think he meant “autism ruins families” the way it sounds, I think he is saying Autism has ruined SOME families, same as miscarriage or the death of a child or a cancer diagnoses,...

You’re so strong” is a phrase many have said to me lately. I know they say it to be an encouragement to me and I truly appreciate the kindness behind the words. But the truth is, I don’t feel strong. I feel tired, and many days like, I’m just going through the motions. I’m just doing what needs to be done, because when the person you love is sick or hurting, you don’t think about your strength, you just do what needs to be done. Some days I feel like I have it together and some days I find myself praying and crying while I’m driving by myself. Some days I cry in the shower or just stand there in a daze just letting the hot water run over me. Then I suck it up, dry my tears and go about my day. Is that strength? Maybe. Or could it just be love? Maybe it’s just commitment. Maybe it’s my faith, I truly do think any strength I have, comes from God. Sometimes I wonder if people really think I’m strong or if it’s a kind sentiment because they don’t know what else to say. Strength isn’t alway...

  Life has a way of pitching us curve balls when we least expect it. Although Mike has had many health issues for many years, we have adjusted to most of it. Lately our days (and nights) look a bit different than they use to and I figured I’d share an update from our little corner of the world. Our life has often been dictated by the level of pain Mike is in on a certain day, but our new normal centers around his all around health. He just has so much going on. Going to dialysis 3 times a week has been a major adjustment for us and a visiting nurse on the non dialysis days, also 3 days a week. Squeezing in doctor’s appointments. On top of all that, between home care and the wound care center, we’ve been dealing with the stubborn diabetic ulcer on the bottom of his foot.  He’s been on 2 antibiotics for it, and it gets cleaned daily and dressing changed by either the visiting nurse or myself. As of now, it is still slowly improving. His broken back and pain makes mobility a dail...

  Yesterday Mike went to Lahey Clinic for a recheck on his back since his hospital stay. I was not able to go to this appointment. His sister took him but between the two of them, this is my understanding of how the appointment went. The doctor he saw was not at all pleased with the care or lack there of that he received during his stay at Exeter Hospital. Exeter did not send his records, treatment notes or anything offering an understanding of the treatment he had received. The doctor at Lahey ordered a wet read X-ray, which they did immediately. The X-ray showed that his spine has not started healing yet, in fact it’s worse. He showed the doctor the brace that Exeter’s physical therapist insisted on him wearing and when Mike couldn’t, due to the pain and rigidness of the brace. The physical therapist said Mike refused treatment. The Lahey doctor said that Mike did not “refuse” treatment, he simply could not wear the brace because of the level of pain it caused. This doctor also s...