I didn’t really blog much about Al over the weekend. There wasn’t a lot to say. I took him out for lunch because he wanted to spend the gift that he received from a blogger. After lunch we went to Wal-Mart and he bought a new car. A 1960 Ford Galaxy Star liner sheriff car. Al’s is made to look like a police car but the same body as this photo.
When we came home he took a nap. He remained fairly quiet the rest of the weekend. He refused to come out to the table for meals, instead eating in his room.
Tonight the truth finally came out, and I can tell you I was not prepared for what he said. His words were, ” I have thought about it for a few days and I want to donate my body. I want the doctors to find out what made me this way so no one else has to suffer like me”.
We talked for over an hour. I came to the conclusion that he is very serious. He wants me to hurry and get the arrangements made so he can die.
I sat close to him and put my arms around him. He started crying and then I cried. We held each other until he fell asleep and then I sneaked out of his room to the safety of my computer.
Who I am 
Terry, that was a beautiful thing that Al is doing. God bless him for thinking of others even in his time of need.
Ivonne
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I have just learned it cost 500 dollars to donate his brain. We can not afford that. You would think they would be glad to have it for research. I may not be able to fulfill his wish now
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How the hell can it cost to donate something???
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I know. I was astounded to learn that it cost. They should be grateful. With Al, mentally challenge an M.S.A. would be a great study
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What is wrong w/ Al?? I understand he wants to help others, but what about how you feel?
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I don’t think there is anything wrong with Al. He doesn’t want to see anyone else suffer as he has for so long. What I feel is beside the point. I am not the one sick and dying
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so true….
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đŸ™‚
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What a kind man. Tell him his friend Brian is inspired by him and his unselfishness. Thank you so much for sharing this, Terry. You both are in my prayers.
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it takes a lot of guts for what he wishes, but I just learned it cost five hundred dollars to donate his brain and we can not afford this, but I can not tell Al this. He wants it so bad
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I see. I wonder if there are medical research grants available? I’ll take a look, you never know.
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Not sure if this will help but I couldn’t find an Indiana one so the next closest was Illinois. May be worth at least calling the phone number to see if they can suggest anything. Feel free to disregard, just wanted to see about some other options for you guys.
Illinois
Name: Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders – Dementia Brain Autopsy Program
Location: Springfield, IL
Qualifications/Eligibility: Participants in this program must be seen for at least one clinical exam at of the program’s satellite clinics prior to signing up (call or see website for a listing of all satellite locations).
Program Requirements: Participants must go in for at least one clinical exam, if they have not already, at one of the Center’s satellite clinics.
Contact Information and Instructions: To find your local Southern Illinois University School of Medicine primary provider, visit (www.siumed.edu/alz/primprov.html).
Phone: (217) 545-8249 or (217) 545-8417 (during office hours) and (217) 545-8000 (after office hours, weekends)
Email: Find the coordinator in your area to email by visiting http://www.siumed.edu/alz/primprov.html
Website: http://www.siumed.edu/cadrd/cadrd.html
Address: Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine
Center for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders
P.O. Box 19643
Springfield, IL 62794
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thank you so much Brian. This is a start that I did not have a moment ago. I will call them tomorrow!! big hugs for your help
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I have asked the M.S.A. foundation to see if they know and they told me it is 500 through the Mao Clinic. I would think there would be no charge in order to study and discover a cure, but then again we can do nothing without being charged
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Hugs and prayers for you both!
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I don’t think I can do it Tersia. I just found out it cost 500.00 to donate his brain to help find a cure. We don’t have that kind of money. I don’t think I will say anything to Al about what I have learned
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What a generous departure gift! Al has a big heart.
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I was totally amazed at his thinking and generosity
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Dearest Terry
Sending you Love & Light
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thank you so much my friend
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Terry, tell Al he is doing a beautiful thing. Some child, somewhere, will benefit from his gift.
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thank you Harold but I may not be able to fulfill his wish. I just learned that it cost 500 dollars to donate his brain. I don’t work so I can care for him at home and he has no money. I don’t have the heart to tell Al, so for now or maybe never I am not saying anything to him
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something that needs to be thought about carefully…where you will have no regreats…
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I have spent over an hour trying to talk him out of it but he wants to give the world a gift he said
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I remember when my son said, “I don’t wish this on anyone!…I will never marry and transfer this desease (bi-polar disorder) onto any child”…
So, I can relate…Only he never said he wanted to donate his body like Al…
oh, that has to be heartbreaking!
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it is but it also makes me smile. He wants to help someone with the biggest gift he can give
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$500? That is ridiculous!
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they should want it for free to discover a cure
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Yeah, it’s quite ridiculous. It’s very different here in our country where the donor is given a modest token in cash or in kind for a tremendous generosity like this (sigh).
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here everything is about money. It makes me sad that they beg for donations and then when we offer the most precious gift, they charge. Al could be the one person to help them find a cure
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What a wonderful thing to do, Al will be helping someone. A donation should not cost though. I would have thought donating your body for research they would be happy to accept. We have got this donor thing and it does not cost, and you can donate any parts of your body. Mind you I think that is not for research, but to give to other people any healthy bit on you. That is s bit different.
Al has a big heart and wants to help and that is wonderful!
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that is what he wants; to help someone else. It is magnificent. It should be free though
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It is a wonderful thing AL wants to do but you need to look into it for a couple of reasons, firstly they may not accept his body it all depends on what research programmes they have on at the time but secondly and I think this will be the main consideration for you is what happens when they finish with the body, it will either be returned at a later date for you to dispose of or they will dispose of it and I hate to sound awful but I have heard stories where the bodies have been disposed of as waste. I am not saying for one minute that you should not honour Al’s wishes but you do need to do a lot of research on this for yourself because there are preparations that would need to be made while Al is still alive for this especially as to the storage of his body when he passes as the may need to take him more or less straight away to preserve tissue
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very valuable points, thank you. I will include this in my research. I do not want Al disposed of improperly no matter what his wishes
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I can’t believe one has to ‘pay’ to donate – that’s a contradiction in terms if ever I heard of one..Bless you both..and prayer and wishes for peace..
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yes, the Mao clinic charges and so does NY
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Al is really very understanding.
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I know that in this case, he seems to understand very well what he is doing, but there are many things to consider he is not aware of as Paula above mentioned. hugs
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Hugs too
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I appreciate Al’s concern for others, it is a wonderful idea. Also, it is a step in his acceptance of the situation that he is in. Lord bless. My prayers continue
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I was taken aback by his words. I am looking into it but can not promise, as I am learning there is a big cost and what they will do with his body afterwards
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I had a search and found this:
http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/01/30/how-to-donate-your-body-to-science/
This did bring tears to my eyes. I wonder how long he has been thinking about this. He is as unselfish and generous as you are Terry.
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thank you Alastair, I will read the link. Thank you for providing this info. big hugs
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You’re welcome đŸ™‚
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How would you feel about starting a donation page so that people can donate money to help to pay for it? You could give him his wish then. I’m sure there are plenty, like me, who would happily donate.,
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I sent you a link that a friend started
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Thanks Terry
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I am new to your page so I don’t know the full story, but my heart goes out to you. It’s always hard to watch a loved one suffer. If you start a donation page, I’ll give. Please drop me a note so I don’t miss it.
God’s Blessings to you,
Phyllis
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Hello Myth Rider. So nice to meet you. My brother is in Hospice and is suffering from M.S.A. (Multiple System Atrophy) A blogging friend and I are working on a donation page and when it is complete, I will let you know. Thank you so much for stopping by. I can feel your compassion through your words. Thank you for your kind offer. Hugs my friend
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Your brother is blessed to have you in his life.
Phyllis
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thank you Phyllis. hugs
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How brave and generous he is; and what a legacy he will leave – they will find a cure eventually, and he will have been a part of that.
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that’s what I told him too, he is so brave, braver than me actually
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You are brave in different ways x
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I guess you are right when I look at different areas, thanks!
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Your Al’s quite a guy. When he’s up to it, let him know that I used to drive a Ford Galaxy 390 police interceptor. My dad’s car, but I got it on weekends.
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oh Al will be so excited, he will love this news!!!!! thanks for brightening his day!
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Terry dear, its the most inevitable concern for our loved one & I’m sure you completely understand his profound appreciation & love for U so, let him confide these needs in u; I, too, have all these things in order. It’s a peace of mind. Sweetie remember Abraham & his greatest sacrifice ~giving up his Only promised child, right ? It wasn’t because God didn’t know what Abraham would do but, Abraham didn’t so, in essence, Abraham needed to h
learn something about Abraham which was that he loved God unconditionally ~ and this could be your sacrifice ~to learn something about yourself ! To me, you’ve beat us all!
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I have taken all he said into great consideration and have decided to try to do as he wishes. hugs my friend
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Al has a beautiful heart. Two good friends of mine are doing the same thing. They are donating their bodies so that young drs can work on them and one day find cures to help others.
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yes he does, but it won’t work. He is out of their guidelines on weight and height and his illness
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that is sad, you would think that they could find helpful treatments and such by studying his body. The thought was nice and only shows us the kind of person Al is. Takes after his sister doesn’t he?! đŸ™‚
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I never thought of it but I think u r right. He is a very kind and gentle man
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