Round 3

I visit this blog once a year to share our ALS fundraising efforts. The annual Walk to Defeat ALS is a month away. Please consider joining our team - either as a virtual supporter or  walk with our family and friends. 

This year is truly heartwarming. The ice bucket challenge has swept the nation. There's a new awareness of this disease and funds are at a record breaking 13 million - all in a few weeks. 

If you want to donate in someone's memory, please consider doing so in my dad's name....Justin Schlesinger. We have a family and friends ALS team called Freckle Fairies-Powernet. 

It's our third year as a team. Round 3 for us. Gloves on & we are ready to fight!

Missing my dad

I can't believe this is our second year without dad for the holidays.  I have learned a lot about ALS since losing him.  One thing is for sure, I won't stop fighting or bringing about awareness for this disease. Our team raised $3,557.50 for ALS this year.  Thanks for your support.  Dad would be proud.

ALS Success!

Our Freckle Fairy team has raised over $2800.00 for ALS! Dad would be so proud.  Thanks for your support.

Never Forgotten

My heart breaks every day, sometimes the smile on my face is forced, but deep inside I am struggling with the loss of the most amazing man I have ever met. My dad was my rock and my hero. 

He led a strong fight against ALS by personally battling the disease, so my sister and I are taking over his legacy and leading the battle for ALS personally with our team called Freckle Fairies. Our team has worked hard to raised almost $2,500 for the ALS walk on Sunday, September 30th.  Check out our team page and donate today or register to walk with us tomorrow.

click on http://www.alsa.org/ and search for Columbus Walk or find our team page:
https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/TRAPIPreview?page_type=fr_team_page&fr_id=8156

Goal:

$1,750.00

Achieved:

$2,439.86

Freedom

As many of you may have heard, dad gained his freedom from ALS on Sunday, September 16.  His sudden death was unexpected as the week leading up to his passing was full of rapid decline. It was agnozing watching dad suffer and now we can take comfort in knowing he is free from pain. I have never seen a man fight so hard to overcome so much as dad did in the past 10 weeks. He was truly a hero to me, a remarkable father and a genuine friend to many.

Here is a copy of the obituary which will appear in the columbus dispatch tomorrow.

SCHLESINGER  Justin Schlesinger, age 68, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 16, 2012. Preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Esther Schlesinger. He is survived by his wife, Marcia; daughters, Eileen (Todd) Elswick and Erica Schlesinger; son, Howard Schlesinger; grandchildren, Addison, Andrew, Brooke, Zachary, Dyllan, Shane, Samantha and Damien; brother-in-law, Bernie (Bobbi) Stevens.  The family will gather with friends at 12:15pm on Wednesday, September 19th at the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Chapel, 5600 E. Broad St. with a graveside service to follow at 1:00pm with Rabbi Cary Kozberg officiating. Family and friends are welcome to gather for Shiva at the Schlesinger residence on Wednesday and Thursday from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association - Central and Southern Ohio Chapter www.webcsoh.alsa.org.

Online guestbook at www.epsteinmemorial.com  Epstein Memorial Chapel3232 E. Main StreetColumbus, OH 43213614.235.3232

We would also like to encourage those who can, to join our family and friends to walk with us on September 30th for the annual Walk to Defeat ALS Columbus Walk in memory of dad.  Location:Fred Beekman Park, OSU. Registration is at 10 am, walk begins at 11 am.  Dad was really looking forward to attending and it brings us such sadness to know he will only be with us in spirit. Register online -ALS Association - Central and Southern Ohio Chapter www.webcsoh.alsa.org. Click on  Walk to Defeat ALS and search for our team-Freckle Fairies.

I love you daddy!!!! I miss you terribly.  Life is just not the same...

Prayers

My heart is breaking...dad's health has taken a turn for the worse. He toughed out 9 weeks of his injury and we are not sure how much longer we will have him. Please say a prayer. The suffering is unbearable.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Dad got to enjoy a rare moment on Sunday. We took him to one of Addi's softball scrimmages. 

Great weather! It was a very emotional time, full of happy tears.

These days, dad only gets out of the house for an occasional doctor appointment, so it was wonderful to get him out of the house and enjoying the little things in life that mean the most-spending time with the family.

Unfortunately, dad was having a rough day and was struggling with breathing and swallowing.  He is back at Zusman Hospice for the week on respite care.  I hope he starts feeling better soon, Addi has another game next Sunday in Lancaster. 

Also, the ALS walk is a few weeks away, we need him better to walk with us.  Our dogs, Boss and Chloe will be walking in honor of dad too!