Stu Leisk Fundraiser

State LG Family,

State Lifeguard legend Stu Lesk (he was in my training class in 1971) recently had to be admitted to a mental health care facility due to an aggressive form of dementia. Medicare does not cover any of the facility expenses which are significant for the 24 hour care. Please dig deep and do what you can to help Stu's daughter, Lauren, deal with the mounting medical expenses. Spread the word!

Thanks,

Mestri

Hi everyone,

It's been 7 months since Mike set up this page on behalf of my Dad, Stu Leisk. I think I was able to get back to everyone via a GoFundMe message response, but I thought I'd share a bit of back story now that he is in a new home and the dust has settled a bit.

As most of you know, my Dad was an avid waterman and surfer. He inspired me to try out for lifeguarding 10 years ago and it's been one of the best decisions I ever made. Some of my closest friends are from my rookie academy, and I never would have thought that a decade later in 2023 we would all be at each other's weddings and solidifying our long standing friendships. This group of donors is truly a testament to the camaraderie we lifeguards build out in the water.

My Dad retired in 2013 and spent the following 5 years traveling / living in Bali and Sri Lanka. If there's anything I've learned from the devastation of this disease, it's to take opportunities and live in the moment. I am so effing glad that my Dad took his retirement as soon as possible and made so many memories in his golden years. He surfed in perfect conditions, made friends young and old from all over the world, and basked in the simple life that he valued so greatly.

Shortly before he left for what would be his last international trip in 2017, I noticed a slight tick in his forgetfulness. At the time I didn't think much of it, we're all forgetful once in a while.

Then in 2018, he offered to drive my friend and I up to LAX. It was a scary car ride to say the least. He couldn't navigate the freeway signage, which to be fair, LAX is an awfully stressful place, but I still could tell, something was up.

From there, I started to come to terms with the fact that his forgetfulness and sudden confusion weren't isolated incidents. I was able to carefully remove his tenants that we're taking advantage of the situation and move onto our property to start watching over him. At that time he was still ok to drive locally, handle bills, etc.

From 2019-2021, he slowly but surely became more confused, unpredictable, agitated, and was diagnosed with both Parkinson's disease and Dementia. I took on the role of chef, driver, financial POA, and tried everything in my power to keep him somewhat engaged and entertained. The worst thing that ever happened to him was his continued surfing accidents and eventual last session. I can confidently say that when he could no longer surf, he was no longer happy. I would take him to the YMCA 3 times a week to swim, which helped his mood most of the time, until he lost interest and no longer wanted to go.

2022 was the hardest year of my life without a doubt. He refused to change his clothes or shower, he would fight me on taking his medicine, and he got close to getting violent on more than one occasion. His paranoia was severe, waking up in the middle of the night with delusions and in panic, telling me we had to give money to people who were stalking us. I tried everything in my power to keep him at home. I attempted to hire in home help, which he would slam the door on. I begged family members for help to no avail. I attempted to go through the county for caregiver pay so I could quit my job and take care of him full time, which got denied. The decision to move him into a memory care facility was the most gut wrenching process I have and I hope to ever endure.

After all this hardship though, I'm happy to report my Dad is doing well and seems to be happy with his new friends. His original home was located in Point Loma, which has since shut down, he is now at Grossmont Gardens in La Mesa. We have a few doctor appts next week, but once he's through that, we can have visitors again. If anyone would like to go, you may contact me for the visiting hours and I'll put your name on the list.

- Lauren Leisk

619-846-6156