Post by wvhsparent on Mar 17, 2011 9:21:50 GMT -5
This guy is a former Lisle PD Officer.
Married only six years in 2003, Mike and Teri Stech had no idea the “for worse” part of their marriage vows would be put to the test. At that time, Mike suffered what they thought was a stroke.
During the next few years, Mike had more of these stroke-like episodes, each causing damage to his brain and leaving him impaired to the point where he became unable to care for himself. He was ultimately diagnosed with a rare mitochondrial disorder.
“The condition is so rare that there is no official name for the disease, and there is no cure,” Teri said.
Friends and family, including daughter, Jessica, who was born in 2000, watched as Mike, now 48, continued to deteriorate. He eventually had to quit his job of 20 years as a Lisle police officer.
“Mike went from being one of the most dependable life-of-the-party guys to a lost stranger,” said Rob Sudd, who worked with Mike and is also a parent at Spring Brook Elementary, where Jessica is now a fifth-grader. “Despite all that, Teri somehow always had a smile on her face.”
Mike got to the point where he could not communicate, and it was hard for him to comprehend what others were saying. In addition, his decision-making ability was greatly impaired, and his cognitive skills were that of a 4-year-old.
“Taking care of Mike was a challenge,” said Teri, now 43. “We’d find the stove on even though he wasn’t cooking. He’d get the urge to paint and half paint a door.”
Then, one day Mike came home from a bike ride covered in blood with his bike broken but unable to explain what had happened. While Teri had hoped she would be able to take care of her husband, it became apparent that it was not a good environment to raise their daughter. She had to make the tough decision to move him into long-term care.
“It just became where it wasn’t safe for anybody, including himself,” Teri said. “He was getting very aggressive, more out of frustration. It was getting harder and harder to take care of him.”
After trying a number of facilities, including a nursing home, none provided the right environment for Mike — he is still young and active. Teri eventually found Arden Courts of Glen Ellyn, an assisted-living facility for individuals with memory impairments. And, although Mike does not have Alzheimer’s disease and is the youngest person there, he has similar symptoms and requires the same kind of care.
“I love it there. They are so understanding of his condition,” said Teri, who along with Jessica, visits Mike weekly. “They are trained to take care of people who have these mental diseases.”
The annual cost at Arden is about $70,000. And while Mike does receive a monthly check from Social Security and the police pension fund, insurance does not cover any of the cost. This has put a great financial burden on Teri, who works full time as executive director for the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. It is her hope that Mike can continue his care at Arden Courts.
When the PTA at Spring Brook learned of the Stechs’ financial problems, they knew they wanted to help. According to Katie Peterson, Spring Brook family fun co-chair, the school holds an annual bingo night every spring to raise money for the PTA. But, this year, the money raised from the event March 24 will instead go to the Stechs. The night will include bingo, snacks, raffles and a silent auction.
And, while bingo nights at Spring Brook have been successful and provided a lot of fun in the past, Peterson hopes this one will raise $5,000 for the family and take on special meaning.
“We’re hoping people will come with the intent to help the family,” Peterson said.
Married only six years in 2003, Mike and Teri Stech had no idea the “for worse” part of their marriage vows would be put to the test. At that time, Mike suffered what they thought was a stroke.
During the next few years, Mike had more of these stroke-like episodes, each causing damage to his brain and leaving him impaired to the point where he became unable to care for himself. He was ultimately diagnosed with a rare mitochondrial disorder.
“The condition is so rare that there is no official name for the disease, and there is no cure,” Teri said.
Friends and family, including daughter, Jessica, who was born in 2000, watched as Mike, now 48, continued to deteriorate. He eventually had to quit his job of 20 years as a Lisle police officer.
“Mike went from being one of the most dependable life-of-the-party guys to a lost stranger,” said Rob Sudd, who worked with Mike and is also a parent at Spring Brook Elementary, where Jessica is now a fifth-grader. “Despite all that, Teri somehow always had a smile on her face.”
Mike got to the point where he could not communicate, and it was hard for him to comprehend what others were saying. In addition, his decision-making ability was greatly impaired, and his cognitive skills were that of a 4-year-old.
“Taking care of Mike was a challenge,” said Teri, now 43. “We’d find the stove on even though he wasn’t cooking. He’d get the urge to paint and half paint a door.”
Then, one day Mike came home from a bike ride covered in blood with his bike broken but unable to explain what had happened. While Teri had hoped she would be able to take care of her husband, it became apparent that it was not a good environment to raise their daughter. She had to make the tough decision to move him into long-term care.
“It just became where it wasn’t safe for anybody, including himself,” Teri said. “He was getting very aggressive, more out of frustration. It was getting harder and harder to take care of him.”
After trying a number of facilities, including a nursing home, none provided the right environment for Mike — he is still young and active. Teri eventually found Arden Courts of Glen Ellyn, an assisted-living facility for individuals with memory impairments. And, although Mike does not have Alzheimer’s disease and is the youngest person there, he has similar symptoms and requires the same kind of care.
“I love it there. They are so understanding of his condition,” said Teri, who along with Jessica, visits Mike weekly. “They are trained to take care of people who have these mental diseases.”
The annual cost at Arden is about $70,000. And while Mike does receive a monthly check from Social Security and the police pension fund, insurance does not cover any of the cost. This has put a great financial burden on Teri, who works full time as executive director for the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. It is her hope that Mike can continue his care at Arden Courts.
When the PTA at Spring Brook learned of the Stechs’ financial problems, they knew they wanted to help. According to Katie Peterson, Spring Brook family fun co-chair, the school holds an annual bingo night every spring to raise money for the PTA. But, this year, the money raised from the event March 24 will instead go to the Stechs. The night will include bingo, snacks, raffles and a silent auction.
And, while bingo nights at Spring Brook have been successful and provided a lot of fun in the past, Peterson hopes this one will raise $5,000 for the family and take on special meaning.
“We’re hoping people will come with the intent to help the family,” Peterson said.