Take a moment and look at the below painting. It is honestly a miracle. If you are an employee of HBO Sports, or you ran, cheered someone on, volunteered, or supported our Annual 5K, 10K Thank You Run TM, do me a big favor and smile because you helped make the, "Miracle Painting" possible.
Without you ... the painting on the left as well as future paintings likely would have never been completed. The incredible man who created this work of art would have likely faded silently away, like an old weathered newspaper lying in someone's driveway.
Why a miracle? About a week ago, the artist, Francis Tsai was lying in his bed in a small town in Texas. Linda, his loving wife cares for him around the clock as a respirator and other mechanical machines work with robotic precision to keep him alive.
The problem Francis is bravely confronting is ALS. Over the last three years his quality of life has deteriorated to the point where almost all his muscles have stopped moving. He can now only slightly move his mouth, his eyes and eyelids. The rest of his body is now imprisoned with the non-reversible and quiet stillness of Lou Gehrig's disease.
We found that medical providers, insurance companies, and Government agencies will only fund equipment that is essential for survival. They will not help Francis with unproven technology solutions which would nurture his brain and allow him to communicate with his family and say the things we all take for granted like, "I love you" or simply, "good morning."
Teddy discovered any technology solution would have to go through a
series of tests and evaluations before it could be "approved" and/or
covered by insurance companies or Governmental agencies. A marathon of
approvals which Francis does not have time to wait for.
Many
of you may recall that Teddy approached Theresa and I a few months ago
and asked for our help. I wrote about our encounter and told you
Teddy's name was, "Tatum."
I gave you a false name on purpose. I was protecting both Teddy and Francis's identities, and their privacy. I have since received permission to tell you their real life story. To read Part one of their story which was published previously, click here for, "Tatum's Prisoner."
This is where each of you come in. Because of you, HBO Sports, and Tobii corporation and so many other people and businesses who supported the run, we were able to pay for the equipment through our non-profit, Helen's Closet. Money that our Government, Insurance Companies and others wouldn't. What you accomplished should give each of you a very good reason to smile.
Teddy and all of you opened a vital door for an incredibly gifted man.
You gave back to him the ability to communicate with the people he
loves, share his visions and make the most of his life before his time
on this beautiful planet ends. We all owe you each a sincere, "Thank
You". What you accomplished was amazing.
Here is another of Francis's many paintings. Wow. Click here to view many of his other creations
Have a great week.
If you wish to donate so more ALS patients can communicate with their families, nurture their brains and just maybe make something fantastic, please contact us or simply go to Helen's closet.org and click Donate Now.
Have a great week!
 |
| The Miracle Painting |
Without you ... the painting on the left as well as future paintings likely would have never been completed. The incredible man who created this work of art would have likely faded silently away, like an old weathered newspaper lying in someone's driveway.
Why a miracle? About a week ago, the artist, Francis Tsai was lying in his bed in a small town in Texas. Linda, his loving wife cares for him around the clock as a respirator and other mechanical machines work with robotic precision to keep him alive.
The problem Francis is bravely confronting is ALS. Over the last three years his quality of life has deteriorated to the point where almost all his muscles have stopped moving. He can now only slightly move his mouth, his eyes and eyelids. The rest of his body is now imprisoned with the non-reversible and quiet stillness of Lou Gehrig's disease.
We found that medical providers, insurance companies, and Government agencies will only fund equipment that is essential for survival. They will not help Francis with unproven technology solutions which would nurture his brain and allow him to communicate with his family and say the things we all take for granted like, "I love you" or simply, "good morning."
 |
| Francis Tsai and Teddy |
I gave you a false name on purpose. I was protecting both Teddy and Francis's identities, and their privacy. I have since received permission to tell you their real life story. To read Part one of their story which was published previously, click here for, "Tatum's Prisoner."
Teddy recently flew to Texas on his, "own dime" as they say and 
walked into Francis and Linda's Tsai's home. Teddy was carrying a
suitcase full of unproven equipment and a dream. He so deeply wanted to
help his long time friend to communicate with his family and return to
creating beautiful paintings. Artwork which had taken Francis to the
top of the illustration and concept art/design disciplines, as well as
the International Comic Art scene.
I personally think Teddy wanted to unlock what is being restrained in Francis's brain. Art so unique and raw it was like a hundred young horses on a cold Nebraska morning, full of energy and an incredible desire to run free. If Teddy could just unfold the newspaper.
Teddy had the idea to use some, "off the shelf" products and to
integrate them with an eye tracking sensor generously provided by Tobii Corporation.
walked into Francis and Linda's Tsai's home. Teddy was carrying a
suitcase full of unproven equipment and a dream. He so deeply wanted to
help his long time friend to communicate with his family and return to
creating beautiful paintings. Artwork which had taken Francis to the
top of the illustration and concept art/design disciplines, as well as
the International Comic Art scene. I personally think Teddy wanted to unlock what is being restrained in Francis's brain. Art so unique and raw it was like a hundred young horses on a cold Nebraska morning, full of energy and an incredible desire to run free. If Teddy could just unfold the newspaper.
Teddy had the idea to use some, "off the shelf" products and to
integrate them with an eye tracking sensor generously provided by Tobii Corporation.
Teddy quickly
found after he connected Francis to the new system of computers and
hardware that he had not only unfolded the newspaper of Francis's life,
but what was being held back actually exploded with a rainbow of
colors, enthusiasm, and appreciation. Within hours, Francis was again
writing frantically about his thoughts, aspirations and of course,
creating beautiful art.
 |
| Linda and Francis Tsai with Teddy |
This is where each of you come in. Because of you, HBO Sports, and Tobii corporation and so many other people and businesses who supported the run, we were able to pay for the equipment through our non-profit, Helen's Closet. Money that our Government, Insurance Companies and others wouldn't. What you accomplished should give each of you a very good reason to smile.
Teddy and all of you opened a vital door for an incredibly gifted man.
You gave back to him the ability to communicate with the people he
loves, share his visions and make the most of his life before his time
on this beautiful planet ends. We all owe you each a sincere, "Thank
You". What you accomplished was amazing. Here is another of Francis's many paintings. Wow. Click here to view many of his other creations
 |
|
"The Joker" by Francis Tsai
|
Have a great week.
If you wish to donate so more ALS patients can communicate with their families, nurture their brains and just maybe make something fantastic, please contact us or simply go to Helen's closet.org and click Donate Now.
Have a great week!
Ray & Theresa Shay
Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved. No duplication of this material without written consent of Shay Realtors.
