Thanks To ALL

The benefit was a total success. Hey and it's not about the money. There was an enormous outpouring of love and caring. I am posting what my brother read for me at the benefit.

Hello and Welcome,
I am reading this on Lee’s behalf. First and foremost I want to thank Jackie Cullen for coming to me with this idea and generous act and Keith MacDonald for all of his hard work in getting the bands together. I want to recognize Jim Cullen and son Jim and my wife Vicki for all their hard work. Many volunteers and family have given their time and effort also and I say thanks. Many donations have been made and I want to say thanks for that also. I also want to thank each and every one of you for coming and I hope this will be a great day for you too. If you have read the local papers the last week you may know who I am and what really is going on here. For some of you this is a Rockfest and you came to hear your band play. This is a benefit for me and my family to raise money for excessive medical needs due to my ALS disease. One year ago today I could of walked on this stage and read this to you. The disease has robbed me of that ability. It has not robbed me of brainpower or emotions. Today I want all of you to know my cup runneth over. The love and caring here is beyond a normal persons comprehension. I want today to create awareness for this disease and hopefully one day there will be a cure. I also want you to know a portion of the proceeds will be donated to our local ALS chapter, which has helped me in numerous ways. In closing a special thanks to my sister Pam, brother Ray, my Mom Barbara, my wife Vicki, brother-in-laws David, Bob and Doug, sister-in-law Pam, cousins Sharon and Michael for truly showing me what family means.

Thank you and God bless,
Lee Linthicum

Fall is in the air

Hi all ! Feel that cool morning breeze. I love this time of year and the football is in the air -GO REDSKINS ! Well the benefit is Saturday September 22nd and later to Belize for stem cell implants. My wife Vicki, brother Ray and his girlfriend Stephanie will join me. This adventure gives me hope and I know there are no guarantees in life but sometimes you just have to take a shot. I am now visiting my mom and brother Ray for a while and enjoying the Redskin games with them. Moms feeding me lots of pancakes and doing a good job of adding some needed pounds. Go to http://www.starexponent.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CSE/MGArticle/CSE_MGArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352782075 to see an article about me in the local newspaper. Well for now you all take care, love Lee

Dog days of summer

Well it's almost 100 degrees today and I am just thankful for season changes, it is temporary and the leaves will be falling soon. Yesterday I went to my sister Pam's house for dinner with the family and to see Nina who is visiting from Naples who I visited in January. Good food and great company is always enjoyable. I can't wait for football season. I was born a Redskin fan. Last Sunday my brother and I along with Cliff and Robert went to visit the training camp but it got rained out. We are going to try again this Wednesday. My niece Briana's half sister Brittany gave me a Redskin hat signed by Joe Gibbs. I will always think of her when I wear it and it was a kind and generous act. We have 8 bands lined up for my fundraiser and many people are involved getting sponsors and vendors. Go to http://www.rockfest.vabb.com/ to get information on the fundraiser. I have been a pinball enthusiast since childhood. Yesterday a guy from Pennsylvania bought back 2 of my machines he was restoring for me, Jurassic Park and Revenge From Mars. I had him put them in my room. I can still roll my chair to them and play them. I am enjoying the things I can. I have decided to grow my hair long. I have always been blessed with thick fast growing hair. I feel it is one thing ALS can't get and I am doing it because I can. My mind is strong and have a sense of humor. Yesterday I was trying to adjust the seat belt in my wheel chair and just couldn't pull the belt through the catch to make it shorter. My right hand is weak and I struggled with for a few minutes and gave up. I asked my good friend Jim Cullen to adjust the belt and he also was struggling with it for a few minutes. I looked at him and said "So they expect handicap people to do that easily huh"? We looked at each other at that moment and laughed to hysteria. It was one of those situations you had to be there but one I will never forget, thanks Jim. I am making it through the love and caring of family and friends. Well until next time God bless and be safe, Lee.

Been Busy

Well back from the beach. The weather was hot and it was good to get away but always good to get home. Thursday I am going to UVA hospital to get a screening for a drug trial to slow down ALS progression, so I will let everyone know how that goes. There is a fund raiser being planned for me and the ALS foundation. It was started by a good friend Jackie Cullen through the Rock Academy in Culpeper. It will be on September 22nd with a rain date on the 23rd. It will be from 1pm to 9pm with a bunch of local rock bands, Rockfest for Lee Linthicum and the ALS foundation. Tshirts,buttons and food will be sold. Again through another friends' kindness and thoughtfulness my cup runneth over. The proceeds will help renovate a bathroom for my handicap accessible needs. I have attached a few pictures from the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, the Boston trip and the 2007 beach trip. Everyone be safe and GOD bless, Lee

Movin' On

Well a lot sure has happened in a month or so. The front porch is done with a ramp for me to get my power chair outside. We are in the process of getting a transport van for me and the chair. It has a fold out ramp for me to drive into the van. We are leaving tomorrow to visit Vicki's brother in Boston and will return on Tuesday and then Sunday we are headed to Myrtle Beach for a week. We are taking a transport van to make it easier for me. I have added some pictures of my Mom's and my visit to my good friends Jim and Carol Graham. I misplaced these photos but Carol was gracious enough to recopy them for me. I went to see my favorite band Lynyrd Skynyrd this past Sunday night and was joined by good friends and family and had an awesome time. I will post pictures of the concert soon. As I always say, I am just taking it a day at a time and thanking GOD each day I wake and draw a breath. I am so blessed with loving a family and friends as you can see on this blog. Until next time, take care, Lee.

The Prayer Quilt

The picture noted prayer quilt holds a special place in my heart. The person standing beside me is Pat Edwards. I first met her through a real estate transaction in 1999. We recently got in touch and I told her about my ALS diagnoses. She has a friend named Eleanor Brown that makes prayer quilts through a ministry at her church. The quilt has strings and people come to the front of the church and pray over the quilt and tie a knot in one of the strings. This quilt has over 100 knots. The prayer note attached was : This Prayer Quilt is for Lee Linthicum, please pray GOD's will be done with my ALS, and that He put a hedge of love and protection around my family. Pat mentioned me to Eleanor and through love and thoughtfulness this quilt was made. Every time I look at it, my soul fills with happiness. My dock is done and by the end of the week my front porch and ramp will be done and that will give me more mobility. All thanks to GOD. Take care, Lee

Thanks to the Dock Buiders

Bob Copeland ask me if I wanted anything. I thought for a moment and then it hit me, I always wanted a dock. I drew up the design and one week later Bob was here. Bob recruited Dave Symington,Ray Linthicum,Jim Cullen and his son Jim and Daniel William. The time and effort that all gave can not be measured. There aren't words I can come up with that would express how greatly this is appreciated. So please take a bow, each one of you. I personally pat each one of you on the back. It is a job well done. The picture posted "Dock Gang" does not include Daniel so I am posting "Dock Gang Final Day"with him. I love you guys, now I am going fishing.