Bravery, in the least expected of places.

I was at work, and got a text from my mom asking me for my dad’s cell phone number. I immediately knew something was wrong. Then a text from my sister, “dad’s in an ambulance, on the way to the hospital.” Everything turned into a blurr and I ran outside and around the corner and called my mom. She said that she didn’t know which ER he was going to, all she knew is that he fell and she was on a wild goose chase trying to find which one they were taking him to. Tears started streaming down my face uncontrollably and I had to remind myself to keep breathing.

My dad has Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 5 also known as SCA5. SCA5 is a rare genetically inherited disease which effects the cerebellum, the part of the brain the controls coordination. It is very hard to diagnosis and treat because so little is known about it. Symptoms of SCA5 can vary greatly, but one of the major parts is balance.

He had fallen again, and popped his shoulder out of it’s socket, and cut open his chin. They gave him medicine and if he didn’t respond to it, there was a possibility of having to do surgery to put his arm back in place. After trying several different medications, one finally knocked him out and they popped his shoulder back in. While my mom and sister were waiting for him to come out, the nurse mentioned to my mom, that he did a really good job, and was really very brave.

In the last few years I’ve learned that everyone has secrets that they shield from the world. Everyone has struggles, pain, suffering, hardships, grief and sorrow. I debated on posting this to the internet world, but I wanted to show you that I am no different…this is my struggle and my pain.

We are a family, we have each other, and WE WILL get through it, with my very brave father leading the way.

If you would like to make a donation to the National Ataxia Foundation in my dad’s name,
Michael, to help in the research of SCA5 please click here.