Randy’s fight!

I am reaching on behalf of my younger brother Randy and his family. A few weeks ago, Randy was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, a rare brain disease that has affected his ability to think rationally, to walk safely, to speak clearly, and to manage his emotions calmly. It's a truly awful inherited disease that steals a person's independence and self-respect while it ravages his mind and body.

Although we grew up with few advantages, Randy served proudly in the U.S. Navy during Desert Shield. He's made mistakes (who hasn't?) but has become a strong father and provider to four good kids. Two years ago, after a lifetime of rentals, Randy and his wife Jessica fulfilled a dream and bought their very first home.

Then about a year ago, early symptoms of Huntington's appeared. It started with shaky hands and restless legs, constant throat clearing, and significant weight loss, though no one recognized it for what it was at the time. This spring, he fell down and spent a week in a coma, waking with aphasia -- difficulty speaking, remembering things, and thinking clearly. It's progressing rapidly, and already he has lost much of his coordination, speech, and reasoning, and Jessica has had to stop working to care for him full time. By Christmas, his doctors predict that Randy may be unable to swallow whole food, pronounce even simple words, or control the involuntary spasms in his hands and legs. At some point, his needs will become too great to be managed at home, though we're all trying hard not to think that far ahead.

There's no cure for Huntington's and no way to slow its progression. But there is HOPE: hope for a day-to-day life with more dignity and less fear. There's hope that they can remain in their home if they can catch up on bills and make some modifications to make the house safer. There's hope that Jessica can return to work if they can afford an in-home caretaker. There's hope that Randy will leave his children with happy memories if he can focus his limited energy on creating quality of life instead of just surviving day to day.

Will you help? Our goal is to raise $10,000. It is enough to catch up on the bills, make modifications to the house, hire a private caretaker for 3 months (until state funding is approved), and pay for two semesters of community college or job training for the older kids.

Our family will contribute the first $2,000 toward that goal. If you can help with even $20, we would be so grateful. And share this plea with your friends and family. A generous gift enriches the giver as much as the receiver.