A mother knows. She knows instinctively when her child needs her help, even if the child cannot form the words to tell her. It is the natural order of things---that which we deem blessed about motherhood. A mother always knows. She will shower love and offer protection to her children, putting their needs first, wanting only what’s best for them. She smiles when they smile; when their lips tremble and the tears appear, she cries a little as well.

Gayle Eason knew her Michael as only a mother could. She knew that like other boys he would grow up to scrape his knees, forget to do homework, stay out too late with friends. Gayle also knew that because her son was diagnosed early on with Juvenile Huntington’s disease, his body would fail him someday. The disease does its damage slowly at first with minor motor control issues leading to more severe symptoms. Patients ultimately face uncontrollable twitching, destruction of brain cells, as well as memory, and the ability to think, speak or even swallow. There is no adequate treatment, no known cure. But the entire Eason family has never stopped reaching for the goal, helping other families come to terms with the onset of the disease. And Mike himself never stopped wishing.

I was contacted by Gayle Eason about five years ago, asking me if I’d assist as a master of ceremonies for their annual “Mike’s Wish” fundraiser. Helping out at charity events is something I do regularly. I accepted her invitation and asked her questions about the disease, the goal of the event and of course about her son Mike, the young man for whom the benefit was named. 

The Friday night gala arrived and I met up with a large group of Mike’s friends, family and townsfolk from the Peabody area, all gathered for a fun filled evening. There was plenty of food, music and dancing. Auction items included tickets to sporting events, vacation getaways, restaurant gift certificates, furniture, and more. Celebrities, including many Boston Bruins players were on hand. And of course, the star of the event was Mike, a tall, handsome 18-year-old with a broad smile and steady handshake. Being a diehard hockey fan, Mike was decked out in the jersey of one of his favorite Bruin players. He worked at Hannaford’s Supermarket in West Peabody where he made many close friends. He was a proud graduate of Peabody High School, class of 2003. Mike’s sense of humor, upbeat attitude and willingness to help others was evident to all who knew him.

I spoke briefly with Mike that evening, wishing him well. He took my hand, smiled broadly and thanked me for coming. The evening proved to be a major success with several thousand dollars raised for Juvenile Huntington’s Disease research. Still, the event was bittersweet with no major medical developments to help kids like Mike on the horizon.

For the next four years, I was thrilled to serve as auctioneer for the annual “Mike’s Wish” fundraisers. Each event featured music, food and an auction with a large amount of cash raised for the cause. The only noticeable difference year to year was Mike’s condition. By November 2007, he was confined to a wheelchair, unable to form words. It was obvious to all of us that Mike’s health was on the decline. His mom held onto that smile of hers for most of the evening. But she knew. Mike’s heroic fight against a hideous disease with no known cure could not last indefinitely. I asked her how she was getting by that night. She confessed that caring for Mike was a round-the-clock job forcing everyone in the immediate family to make tough sacrifices. The future was certainly uncertain. The one constant was that this mother would continue to do anything she could for her child. No matter how difficult the task or how unreasonable the summit, the climb would continue. The way in which she, Jim and the rest of the family cared for Mike was such an inspiration. An image I will never forget involved family, friends and newcomers gathered around Mike’s wheelchair applauding his heroism at that last fundraiser. I spoke to Mike that evening; he couldn’t respond with words. He did manage to greet me once again with his unmistakable smile.

Returning from vacation a few weeks back, I got to work checking messages. There was only one that I felt the need to replay. It was from a close friend of the Eason’s, one of the hard working volunteers from the fundraisers. She called with the sad news that Mike had passed away a few days earlier.

I called Gayle immediately to express my condolences and offer support. She told me that despite the fact that he was so often hospitalized with deteriorating health, his death came as a shock. This incredibly strong woman who tended to every need of her ill son loved him when he was younger and heartier. One gets the sense that her love for him continued to increase as he matured.

Gayle and Jim are one of thousands of sets of parents who face the prospect of losing someone precious. For them the experience is heartbreaking, challenging and draining. But giving up hope is not part of the game plan. One never stops trying, never stops loving. All mothers know that.

You can help find a cure for Juvenile Huntington’s Disease with a donation to Mike’s Wish Foundation, 54 Goodale Street, Peabody, MA 01960.

Have a joyous Mother’s Day.