Loss

The next few weeks will be happy, funny, ridiculous, and probably weird posts. The last couple of weeks have been a little depressing, I will admit that. This post will be sad in some ways. That wasn't what I was planning this week but life has a way of changing plans. 

I promise that this blog is not all doom and gloom. Ultimately this blog is about hope. I deal with loss in this blog. I deal with loss of ability, work, relationships, family, and friends. And those topics are inherently sad. However, I try to put some lessons learned or at least something funny. I deal with hopelessness a lot and this blog is where I go to fight that feeling. 

On May 6th the Duchenne community lost another fighter, Andrew R Longwell. I wasn't as close to him as I would have liked, but I did watch him grow up. I saw him at camp and various MDA functions over the years. It's weird this sense of connection you get with every person with Duchenne. You could be a complete stranger with this disease and I would know you in a way most people can't. It's hard to not see yourself in every person with Duchenne. I can see them struggle to walk. I can see them having a hard time lifting their arms up. I can see the surgeries to keep the back straight. I know the isolation that can occur even if you have a great support system. I tell you all this to tell you that Andrew fought. He fought just being here. He fought with every outing. With every hockey game, he went to. He fought when I saw him do doughnuts on the ice skating rink. He fought by living his life. 

I don't think Andrew lost his fight with Duchenne, I think he finished it. I don't know if that helps the friends and family he left behind. This week I drew a drink. I didn't know what I would use it for when I drew it. So Andrew I raise my glass to you and your fight. I hope someday we can enjoy drinks together.

Lastly, this post is mainly about Andrew, but on Monday my brother Brandon fell from his lift and broke both femurs. He will probably require major surgery and/or a long recovery. For anyone, this would be an ordeal and Duchenne makes it much more complicated. So if you could keep Andrew's family and my brother in your thoughts and prayers I would appreciate it. And I could ask you one more thing if you are connected to Andrew's family or my brother in any way reach out to them. We might not be able to respond right away, but it would mean a lot. Sorry this is late it has been a hard couple of days. I don't know if I needed to write this or if it's enough. I just want Andrew to have a proper send-off. Goodbye Andrew you fought well.