Help Josh See His Bucket List

  Who is Josh?

Josh, like so many 15 year old boys, enjoys sports, video games and hanging out with friends, but he is so much more than that. He is a loving brother in a family of eight children, he is someone who delights in the trappings of the outdoors, and has a thirst for both knowledge and adventure. He loves God, family and friends. But most of all he makes everyone around him smile.


What Happened?

On Saturday, September 15th Josh received a life altering diagnosis during a routine eye exam. Expecting to walk away from the checkup with a prescription for glasses, he was instead told that in mere weeks/months he would likely be blind. The news was devastating to say the least, but Josh has held strong, grounding himself in his faith, determined to trust God through it all. Josh has amazing family and friends that have surrounded him with love, prayers, talks, and loads of fun and games.   


Josh’s diagnosis of Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, LHON or Leber’s disease, came months after his initial symptoms which had manifest in June. The symptoms, blotchy vision in one eye, were originally thought to be linked to dehydration as they came about during a basketball game. Though Josh continued to struggle with his vision as school started an appointment was set with an eye doctor. It was at this time Josh was informed of his impending loss of sight.


For Josh, time with his vision is likely short. After losing sight in the first eye, a person with Leber’s disease can expect to lose sight in the second eye about eight weeks later. Josh started losing sight in his left eye back in June nearly 12 weeks ago. It would seem he is on borrowed time. Each day is a gift from God.  


Why He Needs Your Help

Josh wants nothing more than to use the remaining time with his vision to its fullest. He wants to spend time with his family and seeing some of the wonders scattered across the United States. Growing up in such a large family, travel expenses have made it difficult for Josh to travel beyond the nearby states. He has never seen the ocean, mountains, or desert, three places he longs to see before it's too late. It is here that he needs help. Travel and lodging can be expensive especially when an entire family of eight children is involved. Josh wants so badly to share the remaining time of his sight with his family, even as the marvels of the world call out and the time with his vision shrinks. Please help Josh to experience these marvels with his family at his side.

Ways you can help: share, give, pray.


Whatever way you chose to help we are grateful to have your support.


Thank you!
Blessings From the Bangert Bunch

To learn more about Josh’s condition go to WWW.LHON.ORG



Josh’s Vision Bucket List

Snorkeling
Mountains
Ocean
California
Desert
Mount Rushmore
Badlands
Chicago Bulls Game
Jet Skiing
Northern Lights
Saint Louis Cardinals Game at Busch Stadium
Skydiving
White Water Rafting
Alpine Slides
Niagara Falls
     

How the Funds Will Be Allocated
51% Travel
23% Lodging
19% Meals
7%  Activities