Support Jeannette Yakich-Blevans

We are devastated to share that our daughter and sister, Jeannette Yakich-Blevans, has been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). This is by far the toughest news we have ever heard or faced, including the diagnosis of Doug’s cancer. Jeannette’s symptoms only started 6 months ago, but it appears that the disease is not taking any breaks or slowing down. She can no longer comfortably live by herself. She is using a walker right now to steady herself when her left foot decides not to follow orders. She can’t work very effectively as even the simple task of going through a pile of papers cause discomfort in her hands. At home, she can no longer give her dog the walks he needs and has to avoid him so his loving body doesn’t make her fall (he is about 75lbs of pure muscle). She has hopefully found a good new home for him. With this news, our family is doing the best we can to help her. Jeannette’s parents, brother, sister, and friends have all offered their homes to her. She has decided to move to Glendale, CA at the end of April to live with Doug and Jacquie.

This news cannot be accurately described by the word SHOCKED! We have yet to find the right word to describe the feelings our family is going through right now. Speechless is probably the best. Jeannette decided to move in with Jacquie and Doug because of the warmer weather year around and that will help her muscles while they are still working. We have read books and talked to people within the ALS community and it all paints a very grim picture that our minds can’t seem to escape from. Our motto has always been “One Day At A Time “ and this is how we will hold Jeannette’s hand through this horrific journey ahead. We can’t look forward for the path is not always clear and we certainly can’t turn back. So every sunrise and every sunset will be another day that we are grateful for with no questions asked.

With this new chapter in Jeannette’s life, we need to help raise money for her so we can make sure she has a handicap bathtub and a ramp into her bedroom (which now is a den), a wheelchair when her legs eventually both give out and a bed that is comfortable. There are also the expenses that arise from having ALS. Health insurance, copays, deductibles, and any device that Jeannette needs to help her move and communicate. There is no amount we could set that would be enough to carry us through this journey because we just don’t know when or what or how much each step of this journey will take. Your support is vital in allowing Jeannette to have all possible resources available to her throughout her journey.

We will be keeping everyone updated through Caring Bridge and also a private Facebook Page. If you would like to follow these pages please message us through Go Fund Me and give us your email address associated with your Facebook account. This is a way for us to share more about this journey privately and become a positive force for Jeannette.

We will not publicly share our address, but we will tell you through our private Facebook page and Caring Bridge page for those of you wishing to just send something by mail. Please don’t feel obligated to give or even join any of the groups. No hard feelings will be felt.

Please say a prayer for Jeannette every day, so that she may fight this disease like no one else. Light a candle in her honor or just drop a quick note to her. No action is too small and all will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support!

Greg and Barb
Doug, Jacquie and Isabella
Sheryl, Rob, Matt, Ryan and Ben