AJ,
I want to thank you for your commitment to and support of two such great organizations as the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and the MS Foundation. These causes of these groups are very near and dear to my heart. My Uncle was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease years ago, and has since undergone Deep Brain Stimulation surgery which has dramatically changed his life for the better. His DBS device has allowed him to once again enjoy many of the things we would normally take for granted. I remember him before the surgery, and the pain I felt watching as he struggled to do something as simple as hold a plate at a family barbecue. Now, thanks to the support of great people such as yourself, he is able to function better than ever. His lovely wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a few years ago, and is currently battling the disease with all her might. Neither of them have ever allowed their ailment to control them, and thanks to people such as yourself, they very well may win this fight. A sorority sister of mine, not too much older than myself, was also recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Since then, she has been the epitome of courage and willpower, working every day toward a cure. She is one of the bravest and most selfless people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.
I thank you again, for your efforts. It would mean the world to me if you could please keep my loved ones in mind as you continue your work towards a day when people will no longer be stricken with these ailments.
If there is any way I can help you, please feel free to contact me. I’m more than willing to do whatever may be in my power to fight for this cause. My e-mail is kaygray316@gmail.com or you can find me on Facebook as Kay Gray.
Cheers, and thanks again!
Kailyn “Kay” Gray
Kay,
I have been searching for the right words to let you know how grateful I am that you shared this story but I cannot find a way so I will share with you this:
I began reading your post on my way to a dinner with my Dad and Grandfather for Father’s Day and could not read the entire post, not because I did not have time but because tears filled my eyes with both happiness and sadness. I was so grateful that you shared because your story is exactly why I started this journey, to raise awareness. As you know these illnesses affect many people’s lives and we need to join together to continue searching for the cure along with advancements such as the DBS Device, that as you experienced personally, really helps. Thankfully it sounds like your Uncle, His Wife and your Sorority Sister have all risen to challenge (I imagine not easily) to not allow the ailment to take over their lives.
Kay I will keep your story tattooed on my heart and in my mind for the next time I struggle with the pain of going for a long run, or a long bike ride because I know that I have your support. I am thrilled that you reached out!
You mentioned if there is a way for you to help, there is. . . PLEASE Share, Share and Share some more!
Both the Parkinson ’s Disease Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society use the funds they receive to continue the research and on the right hand side of the screen are two links going to each foundation where anybody can make donations directly to their preferred foundation. Please SHARE, SHARE and SHARE again so we can continue to raise the awareness, receive more stories to help keep me moving along and one day, one day, put an end to the pain.
Thank you very much Kay you have truly left a mark in my heart by sharing.
–AJ Stelacio–
June 17, 2012 at 5:07 pm
AJ,
I want to thank you for your commitment to and support of two such great organizations as the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and the MS Foundation. These causes of these groups are very near and dear to my heart. My Uncle was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease years ago, and has since undergone Deep Brain Stimulation surgery which has dramatically changed his life for the better. His DBS device has allowed him to once again enjoy many of the things we would normally take for granted. I remember him before the surgery, and the pain I felt watching as he struggled to do something as simple as hold a plate at a family barbecue. Now, thanks to the support of great people such as yourself, he is able to function better than ever. His lovely wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a few years ago, and is currently battling the disease with all her might. Neither of them have ever allowed their ailment to control them, and thanks to people such as yourself, they very well may win this fight. A sorority sister of mine, not too much older than myself, was also recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Since then, she has been the epitome of courage and willpower, working every day toward a cure. She is one of the bravest and most selfless people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.
I thank you again, for your efforts. It would mean the world to me if you could please keep my loved ones in mind as you continue your work towards a day when people will no longer be stricken with these ailments.
If there is any way I can help you, please feel free to contact me. I’m more than willing to do whatever may be in my power to fight for this cause. My e-mail is kaygray316@gmail.com or you can find me on Facebook as Kay Gray.
Cheers, and thanks again!
Kailyn “Kay” Gray
June 19, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Kay,
I have been searching for the right words to let you know how grateful I am that you shared this story but I cannot find a way so I will share with you this:
I began reading your post on my way to a dinner with my Dad and Grandfather for Father’s Day and could not read the entire post, not because I did not have time but because tears filled my eyes with both happiness and sadness. I was so grateful that you shared because your story is exactly why I started this journey, to raise awareness. As you know these illnesses affect many people’s lives and we need to join together to continue searching for the cure along with advancements such as the DBS Device, that as you experienced personally, really helps. Thankfully it sounds like your Uncle, His Wife and your Sorority Sister have all risen to challenge (I imagine not easily) to not allow the ailment to take over their lives.
Kay I will keep your story tattooed on my heart and in my mind for the next time I struggle with the pain of going for a long run, or a long bike ride because I know that I have your support. I am thrilled that you reached out!
You mentioned if there is a way for you to help, there is. . . PLEASE Share, Share and Share some more!
Both the Parkinson ’s Disease Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society use the funds they receive to continue the research and on the right hand side of the screen are two links going to each foundation where anybody can make donations directly to their preferred foundation. Please SHARE, SHARE and SHARE again so we can continue to raise the awareness, receive more stories to help keep me moving along and one day, one day, put an end to the pain.
Thank you very much Kay you have truly left a mark in my heart by sharing.
–AJ Stelacio–