Through illness, dad still inspires

As a single mother of four, I always had the support and help of my parents.

Every morning my dad, Al Wissink, drove to my house to take my children to school. He picked them up after school, made snacks and helped them with their homework so that I could work to put food on the table. Although he was a least 20 years older than any of the other parents, he was the first to play softball with the other dads at the parents’ day softball game – he was pretty good, too.

Mom and Dad owned a small appliance-repair business. Dad could fix anything. When the faucet leaked, Dad fixed it. When the washing machine wouldn’t work, Dad fixed it. When my house needed to be painted, Dad painted it.

During the most trying times of my life, Dad always listened and he always offered sound advice. Dad taught me that love is the most important thing in life. Dad practiced what he preached. He never harbored anger or animosity.

Growing up, my dad showed me how much he loved life and his family.

In 2004, my dad fell and broke his hip. After his release from the nursing home, he came to live with me. He wanted to move back to his house, (Mom passed away in 2003). Dad treasured his independence and feared being a burden. Dad always was the one helping others. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Since then, Dad has fallen and broken bones and once got a collapsed lung from a fall. Not once has he uttered one word of complaint. His concern was for me.

In 2007, his neurologist called and told me that he had PSP. I had never heard of progressive supranuclear palsy, and I was devastated when I learned that it was a condition for which there was no cure.

Neither Dad nor I could fix this one. After I had a good cry, I came to my senses and realized that this life-changing situation marked the point where I had the opportunity to take care of Dad. I finally had the opportunity to do for him what he had done for my children and me all those years.

Dad is now 88 years old. He continues to amaze me with his strength and love. Some people would surrender, but not my dad. He can no longer speak in sentences, but together we work on his speech. We go to church on Sunday; we exercise together, and he remains an avid baseball fan.

Despite all he has been through these last few years, his smile still lights the room. His positive attitude is infectious. He is a hit everywhere we go. A day does not go by that I don’t thank my God for the opportunity to be with my dad. He continues to teach me life’s lessons as he nears the end of life’s journey.

People need to know about PSP, who it affects and what is needed to find a cure. Time is running out for Dad, but what about the other people affected with this disease? Visit www.curepsp.org to see what you can do to help.