Please allow us to introduce ourselves
Kathy and Gary Ferguson:
We have four children, Stephanie (Ken Collier) she and Ken live in Corona CA. Paul (McKenzie) Ferguson and their son Caden , they live in Columbia IL, Cassie lives in Milwaukee,Erin and her daughter Alison live in Plymouth.
We live in Plymouth WI and this is our story.
First Kathy
On Dec.23,1991 while I was driving I felt my left leg going numb the leg felt like it was asleep.
When I reached home and began walking into our house I was dragging my left leg. I felt like Lurch from the Adams Family. That was the first day of my new life. I spent from 1991 – 1997 trying to be diagnosed with something. I had MRI's. A spinal tab numerous Dr visits with no success. I went in with double vision,unable to walk straight,very fatigued , yet no answers. After doing my own research using the computer I pretty much diagnosed myself. I had all the symptoms of MS. One of my friends said go to Milwaukee. Which I did. I was diagnosed in the spring of 97 ,yes with MS. It took her 2 hours she read my files and did some tests.
I was started on my journey. I had been working full time in Sheboygan at the time, I had to leave my job because of the fatigue and mobility issues at the time.
I feel that I have been very blessed in that I was able to enjoy my children when they were young. Stephanie and Paul were both in College the twins were entering high school.
I feel that God has said OK, you have this now what are you going to do about it, sit and continually ask “why me” or get up off your butt and do something. I got up off my butt.
Throughout my journey I have had many blessings, I have meet people from many places that have MS or know of someone. I have done an online support groups. I have volunteered in numerous ways for the MS Society. I have been to Washington DC to advocate with our Senators and Congress. I have presented at several MS meetings and functions. We had an MS support group in Plymouth.
My physical set backs are fatigue , unable to sit,stand for long periods of time unable to lift heavy items. I am very thankful I could be much worse.
Everything was going well the kids were out of college two were married, Gary and I felt as if we were on our way for our next chapter..
Here is the next chapter.
Gary's Story
On Dec. 13 2007 as I was rocking our grand-daughter when our phone rang it was11:45am. I could not get to the phone, I could tell by the tone of message that something terrible happened to Gary. I returned the call and was told by a member of Gary's department that something serious had happened to him I need to call asap.
When I returned the call I was told he was at a business lunch left the table to use the restroom and fell. He was being taken to the hospital in Mequon. His co-worker drove up to Plymouth to get me and I began making the calls to the family.
In the beginning we didn't think it was a very serious stroke,but as the hours ticked and tests were taken we were proved wrong.
He spent 10 day's in the hospital then was transferred to Rocky Knoll for rehab . That day just happened to be his 53rd birthday.
I knew that Rocky Knoll had a great reputation for physical therapy, we had no idea how extensive his therapy would be at Rocky Knoll.
When Gary arrived at Rocky Knoll he could not walk,stand without assistance his, left arm,hand and fingers were paralyzed.
Gary started working with the therapy group on Christmas eve. He met a gentleman by the name of Alan. He and Gary worked every day within 1 week he had him standing unassisted for up to 2 min.
He had Gary walking assisted but walking 5 weeks. He was also receiving
occupational therapy and speech therapy all equally grueling.
He was able to return home on Feb.19th. We sold our house and moved into a apartment which had a floor plan with no steps and a walk in shower.
He went to out patient therapy for @4 months at Rocky Knoll then another 3 in Fondu Lac
He is unable to use his left hand, has some slight problems with walking but he is and that is what is important.
Gary worked for a company in Mequon . He was the Manager for both engineering and service. He had @ 35 people he was responsible for .
We had good insurance a good income and in BLINK it was all gone.
We pay our own health insurance and prescription drug plan. Gary would like to do more rehab, insurance will only pay a small part.
Since his stroke I have had two flare ups with the MS. My fingers always feel as if they are asleep and my walking is slowing down .
I have had to switch medications with this new insurance if I would choose to stay on what was working it would have cost us 1200.00 a month. I switched.
We needed a lift in our van and we were told by the insurance that a lift was considered a “luxury”. We put one in ourselves. We may have to install some driver assistance devices into our van as well.
We have many “updates”we would like to do to our house to make it more assessable.
What our health issues has allowed us to do is appreciate everyday and look at life as a gift. Although neither of us can work we are active. I do as much volunteering with our church,Salem UCC also for St. Vincent as needed.
Gary is busy in our garden during the summer he loves to cook and he doesn't mind grocery shopping. I just wish he would learn to clean up!! We have been very blessed with our church Salem UCC and our Senior Class. We also are blessed with a wonderful family. My sister Pat her husband Tom and my sister Teri. Gary's mother and his brothers Jim and Mark. We have wonderful friends. Friends that will come and help at any time. We want to thank Gift of Life for this very generous gift.
Gary and Kathy Ferguson
