John at Walk to Defeat ALS 2012
In Memory of John Arthur - Cincinnati Walk on 9/28/2014
I first met John in 2011, just a few months after he was diagnosed with ALS. Back then I was working for a local gym that sent me to help John with his coordination and strength. He was starting to have issues walking. Spending an hour every other day with John I learned a lot about ALS and gained deep respect for him, first because of his positive attitude and appreciation for life and later because of his sincere interest and care for everybody. In the following 2 years we didn't just watch the terrible disease progress, we fought for every leg, muscle, limb... finger... It was a long painful battle but he never complained, never felt sorry for himself, and always had something cheerful to share with me. I will never forget the day he realized he can't use any of his fingers anymore, he joked: "Now I guess I'll end up watching all those bad TV Shows that Jim (his loving husband) put on for me." We had our little rituals "That's what she said Monday", "Torture Jim Wednesday", "Manhattan Friday" (I adopted that one naturally:) John and Jim also taught me a new word... "schadenfreude" (don't ask:)
John's optimism and appreciation of life and laughter keep helping me find joy and balance in my life. I am sharing his story with you: my friends, family and clients in hopes that you too can get some of his strength and love for life.
Jim Obergefell (John's husband) started Team Half-Full in 2012 to honor and celebrate John and his positive attitude. I joined his team and I am inviting you to consider helping us fight this awful disease.
Here are two great incentives from our Team Captain Jim and me and my partner Libby McAvoy at Yoga Fit Boutique:
Donate $50 and Win a Week in the Outer Banks*
Donate $100 and Win a Year of Unlimited Classes at Yoga Fit!
For every $50 donated to a member of Team Half-Full, you get one raffle ticket to win a week in Stargazer, an oceanfront home with 6 master bedrooms in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina.http://www.corollaclassicvacations.com/vacation-rentals/buck-island/stargazer-bu71
*The house can be booked September 2014-May 2015 or September-December 2015 (specific dates TBD).
For every $100 donated, not only will you get two entries towards Stargazer, but one raffle with your name will also be entered to win a yearlong, unlimited membership to Yoga Fit Boutique. That means you can go to any class, any day, for a whole year… for free.We have 20 different classes every week to choose from and we will be adding even more. Want to donate more? Great! Here is a simpler lay out:
$150: 3 raffles towards Stargazer, 1 for Yoga Fit Boutique
$200: 4 raffles towards Stargazer, 2 for Yoga Fit Boutique
$250: 5 raffles towards Stargazer, 2 for Yoga Fit Boutique
$300: 6 raffles towards Stargazer, 3 for Yoga Fit Boutique
…and so on, and so on…
Whether or not you decide to make a donation, I’d love for you to join me and the rest of Team Half-Full in the Walk to Defeat ALS
When: Sunday, September 28, 2014Where: Winton Woods Metro Park - Harper Meadows
directions
Why We Need Your Help
Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.
Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries.
I firsthand witnessed the support that the local ALS Association is giving to ALS patients. ALS care costs families an average of $200,000 per year, that is why every contribution counts. The local ALS Association chapter made a huge impact on John's comfort and care by loaning him many pieces of equipment, including a $14,000 hospital bed, and providing support and other services.
This deadly disease can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease though support is bringing researchers closer to an answer. Please support our team by donating or joining us at the walk.
Lets acknowledge and celebrate the gift of health and life!
Namaste!
Doychin Karshovski
Read more about John and Jim's story:
http://bcove.me/1y6ht4qb
http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/in-memoriam-john-arthur-ohio-man-who-challenged-state-marriage-ban
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/07/24/ohio-couple-blown-away-by-impact-of-marriage-lawsuit/
I first met John in 2011, just a few months after he was diagnosed with ALS. Back then I was working for a local gym that sent me to help John with his coordination and strength. He was starting to have issues walking. Spending an hour every other day with John I learned a lot about ALS and gained deep respect for him, first because of his positive attitude and appreciation for life and later because of his sincere interest and care for everybody. In the following 2 years we didn't just watch the terrible disease progress, we fought for every leg, muscle, limb... finger... It was a long painful battle but he never complained, never felt sorry for himself, and always had something cheerful to share with me. I will never forget the day he realized he can't use any of his fingers anymore, he joked: "Now I guess I'll end up watching all those bad TV Shows that Jim (his loving husband) put on for me." We had our little rituals "That's what she said Monday", "Torture Jim Wednesday", "Manhattan Friday" (I adopted that one naturally:) John and Jim also taught me a new word... "schadenfreude" (don't ask:)
John's optimism and appreciation of life and laughter keep helping me find joy and balance in my life. I am sharing his story with you: my friends, family and clients in hopes that you too can get some of his strength and love for life.
Jim Obergefell (John's husband) started Team Half-Full in 2012 to honor and celebrate John and his positive attitude. I joined his team and I am inviting you to consider helping us fight this awful disease.
Here are two great incentives from our Team Captain Jim and me and my partner Libby McAvoy at Yoga Fit Boutique:
Donate $50 and Win a Week in the Outer Banks*
Donate $100 and Win a Year of Unlimited Classes at Yoga Fit!
For every $50 donated to a member of Team Half-Full, you get one raffle ticket to win a week in Stargazer, an oceanfront home with 6 master bedrooms in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina.http://www.corollaclassicvacations.com/vacation-rentals/buck-island/stargazer-bu71
*The house can be booked September 2014-May 2015 or September-December 2015 (specific dates TBD).
For every $100 donated, not only will you get two entries towards Stargazer, but one raffle with your name will also be entered to win a yearlong, unlimited membership to Yoga Fit Boutique. That means you can go to any class, any day, for a whole year… for free.We have 20 different classes every week to choose from and we will be adding even more. Want to donate more? Great! Here is a simpler lay out:
$150: 3 raffles towards Stargazer, 1 for Yoga Fit Boutique
$200: 4 raffles towards Stargazer, 2 for Yoga Fit Boutique
$250: 5 raffles towards Stargazer, 2 for Yoga Fit Boutique
$300: 6 raffles towards Stargazer, 3 for Yoga Fit Boutique
…and so on, and so on…
Whether or not you decide to make a donation, I’d love for you to join me and the rest of Team Half-Full in the Walk to Defeat ALS
When: Sunday, September 28, 2014Where: Winton Woods Metro Park - Harper Meadows
directions
Why We Need Your Help
Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.
Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries.
I firsthand witnessed the support that the local ALS Association is giving to ALS patients. ALS care costs families an average of $200,000 per year, that is why every contribution counts. The local ALS Association chapter made a huge impact on John's comfort and care by loaning him many pieces of equipment, including a $14,000 hospital bed, and providing support and other services.
This deadly disease can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease though support is bringing researchers closer to an answer. Please support our team by donating or joining us at the walk.
Lets acknowledge and celebrate the gift of health and life!
Namaste!
Doychin Karshovski
Read more about John and Jim's story:
http://bcove.me/1y6ht4qb
http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/in-memoriam-john-arthur-ohio-man-who-challenged-state-marriage-ban
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/07/24/ohio-couple-blown-away-by-impact-of-marriage-lawsuit/