...With A Little Help FromMyFriends

Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 25 years is something that most of us cannot imagine.  Living with Multiple Sclerosis for 25 years and subsequently suffering a ruptured spinal aneurysm is nothing short of devastating.  This is the current state in which George Czarnonycz finds himself.

In 1990, George was diagnosed with MS at the age of 30.  With a wife, three children, and fourth soon to come, he was determined to not let the debilitating disease hinder his ambitions as a loving husband and father.  Over the years, George adjusted the best he could to a gradual loss of mobility, balance, coordination, and strength.   Eventually, the effects of MS forced him to discontinue his formal career in IT.  Once again, he adjusted and pushed forward, taking up secondary self-employment ventures in web-design, computer repairs, and photography – his newfound passion. 

On February 25th, 2015 the aforementioned cumulative effects of MS caused George to fall and sustain traumatic head injuries.  Consequently, the fall triggered a previously undiagnosed spinal aneurysm to rupture.  After hospital stays of 1 day in LaGrange, GA and 3 days in Columbus, GA, he was transferred to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA due to the severity of his condition.  After a week of extreme pain and partial paralysis with minimal improvement, it was determined that surgery was the only option.

Thanks to the outstanding surgeons at Emory, the surgery was a success and the aneurysm was repaired; however, due to the unique and extremely rare location of the rupture, further nerve damage could not be prevented.  This ultimately left George without the use of his legs.

After spending a total of 23 days at Emory, he was sent to Health South rehab facility in Newnan, GA to start the arduous ordeal of preparing for life in a wheelchair and relearning the basic tasks that many of us take for granted.  George is a resilient man – he slowly mastered the skill of transferring himself from a bed to a wheelchair and has even been able move his right leg at times to a slight extent – but there is still a long and challenging road ahead of him.  It is uncertain how much of his mobility will be regained, but the ability to bear weight on at least one leg will be considered a blessing at this point. 

After only three short weeks of acute rehabilitation, his health insurance provider would no longer continue to cover the treatment he needs.  He returned home on April 21st.  The future is uncertain, and the medical expenses up to this point have been significant.  In addition to years of MS treatments, George’s son Kyle was diagnosed with Stage III Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December 2011 at the age of 19, for which he underwent a year of chemotherapy.  He is currently in remission but continues to require frequent overnight hospital stays due to secondary complications. 


George’s wife, Teresa, a school teacher, has shown more strength and support than most people are capable of throughout this entire journey.  From George’s initial diagnosis, through the events of 2015, she has been a rock for the family.  Over George’s total of 27 days spent in three separate hospitals, she stayed along George’s side day and night.  She has now had no choice but to resume her job as a teacher, while also caring for her husband at home.  Thankfully, George’s mother made the drive from south Florida to provide her much-needed assistance.

Despite George’s courage, Teresa’s strength, the family’s determination, and the invaluable support of friends, help is needed.  Medical expenses will continue to accumulate. 

All funds raised will go directly toward George’s current and future medical expenses. 

There is no cure for MS – any donation that you can provide, or even just sharing this link, will mean so much to the family and friends that love him and want him to receive the best treatment available.  Thank you.




Special thanks to all who have provided support in so many ways so far, including but not limited to:

The Emory I.C.U. Staff, Dr. Daniel Barrow and team, John Michalko, Craig Maclennon, First Presbyterian Montessori staff and parents, special friends and family.