tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73398064025735505322024-03-14T06:29:07.321-07:00Michael Troy Wieser memorial<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
This memorial site for Michael T. Wieser is for all to remember the great personality of this strong and kind young man who died at the young age of 27 from complications of Wilson's Disease.uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-64256539778370685022011-08-19T23:12:00.000-07:002011-08-19T23:17:14.844-07:00Michael Troy Wieser race set for April 9, 2011<h1><a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/houstonconews/lifestyles/announcements/article_24e7e700-4a5d-11e0-93b9-001cc4c03286.html" target="_blank">Michael Troy Wieser race set for April 9, 2011</a></h1>
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<br />The Michael Troy Wieser 5k run/walk is set for 9 a.m. on Sat. April 9 at La Crescent Community Arena. Money raised from the race will go toward the Michael Troy Wieser scholarship and the Rich and Barb Kaiser family of La Crescent, this year's "honored" family. The Kaisers have two students at La Crescent High School, 11th grader Jordan and ninth-grader Kaleb.
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<br />The family has endured several medical challenges this year, including several heart surgeries for Rich and a severe car accident in which Kaleb was involved. Furthermore, the family has moved in with the childrens' grandmother to care for her after their grandfather recently passed away. Event organizers say Jordan has been a positive inspiration for the family, as she tries to keep an upbeat attitude and works hard in school. Kaleb is working to make up the time missed due to his accident last fall.
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<br />Registration is $12 before March 25 or $15 after, including the day of the race. All entrants receive a t-shirt and awards will be given to top overall finishers and the top finishers in each age division.
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<br />Entry forms and pledge sheets are available at Curves in La Crescent, Snap Fitness, the La Crescent High School office, or by calling (608) 317-7749. The face is sponsored by the La Crescent High School Community Leadership Class and Lancer Link Crew. Pledges will be split between the Wieser scholarship and the Kaiser family.
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<br />Read more: http://lacrossetribune.com/houstonconews/lifestyles/announcements/article_24e7e700-4a5d-11e0-93b9-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1VXy2cnhH
<br />uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-87639845207869006542011-06-28T22:49:00.000-07:002011-06-28T22:51:02.695-07:00Michael Troy Wieser race set for April 9, 2011The Michael Troy Wieser 5k run/walk is set for 9 a.m. on Sat. April 9, 2011 at La Crescent Community Arena. Money raised from the race will go toward the Michael Troy Wieser scholarship and the Rich and Barb Kaiser family of La Crescent, this year's "honored" family. The Kaisers have two students at La Crescent High School, 11th grader Jordan and ninth-grader Kaleb.<br /><br />The family has endured several medical challenges this year, including several heart surgeries for Rich and a severe car accident in which Kaleb was involved. Furthermore, the family has moved in with the childrens' grandmother to care for her after their grandfather recently passed away. Event organizers say Jordan has been a positive inspiration for the family, as she tries to keep an upbeat attitude and works hard in school. Kaleb is working to make up the time missed due to his accident last fall.<br /><br />Registration is $12 before March 25 or $15 after, including the day of the race. All entrants receive a t-shirt and awards will be given to top overall finishers and the top finishers in each age division.<br /><br />Entry forms and pledge sheets are available at Curves in La Crescent, Snap Fitness, the La Crescent High School office, or by calling (608) 317-7749. The face is sponsored by the La Crescent High School Community Leadership Class and Lancer Link Crew. Pledges will be split between the Wieser scholarship and the Kaiser family.<br /><br />Read more: http://lacrossetribune.com/houstonconews/lifestyles/announcements/article_24e7e700-4a5d-11e0-93b9-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1QdpC8TqYuriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-42583696670840732932010-04-27T04:47:00.001-07:002010-04-27T04:48:14.738-07:00Mourner's Kaddish or Prayer for the BelovedMay His great Name grow exalted and sanctified (`Cong: Amen.)<br />in the world that He created as He willed.<br />May He give reign to His kingship in your lifetimes and in your days,<br />and in the lifetimes of the entire Family of Israel,<br />swiftly and soon. <br /><br />Now say:<br />(Mourners and Congregation:)<br />(Amen. May His great Name be blessed forever and ever.)<br /><br />Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled,<br />mighty, upraised, and lauded be the Name of the Holy One<br /><br />(Mourners and Congregation:)<br />Blessed is He.<br />beyond any blessing and song,<br />praise and consolation that are uttered in the world. Now say:<br /><br />(Mourners and Congregation:)<br />Amen<br /><br />May there be abundant peace from Heaven<br />and life upon us and upon all Israel. Now say:<br /><br />(Mourners and Congregation:)<br />Amen<br /><br />He Who makes peace in His heights, may He make peace,<br />upon us and upon all Israel. Now say:<br />(Mourners and Congregation:)<br /><br />Amenuriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-14217393371174373082010-04-23T03:34:00.001-07:002010-04-23T03:51:41.938-07:002nd Annual Michael Troy Wieser 5K Run/Walk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5m2q-J1e8sR72mwL2_z1HtEJMaF_xqFztJqY5bWmGOYqPq8vA_lM6DtBFBwCdJVDX3P6_YjOEYr4AB8fdKyP8pxccl21JTV9Vok4t16PFFRLObg4qMTt8TQxjCg1Is4JOWpaTmgUVif7W/s1600/Michael+Troy+Wieser+5K+Run-Walk+April+24th,+2010.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5m2q-J1e8sR72mwL2_z1HtEJMaF_xqFztJqY5bWmGOYqPq8vA_lM6DtBFBwCdJVDX3P6_YjOEYr4AB8fdKyP8pxccl21JTV9Vok4t16PFFRLObg4qMTt8TQxjCg1Is4JOWpaTmgUVif7W/s400/Michael+Troy+Wieser+5K+Run-Walk+April+24th,+2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463279599795535458" /></a><br /><h2>This year it's on Saturday, April 24th in La Crescent, MN and benefits a local girl, Olivia Baker, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. More on her story <a target="_blank" href="http://www.houstonconews.com/news/00lead.txt">here.</a></h2><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdDpTrGukWy1aE7XYW-43E94FUweH1yC4Gi4Mq0vIUXXWcCangrpQ94yLG5F3Za5HlLCFPaHOOVRt0_porWdrbRFtAcehnGyAoIMmvGBLCDCssOKTcLWY0u_JfEoHVZSaabK6kQ4aAjzj/s1600/Michael+Wieser+-+Olivia+Baker+2010+recipient.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdDpTrGukWy1aE7XYW-43E94FUweH1yC4Gi4Mq0vIUXXWcCangrpQ94yLG5F3Za5HlLCFPaHOOVRt0_porWdrbRFtAcehnGyAoIMmvGBLCDCssOKTcLWY0u_JfEoHVZSaabK6kQ4aAjzj/s400/Michael+Wieser+-+Olivia+Baker+2010+recipient.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463283704193146866" /></a><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>The second annual Michael Troy Wieser 5k run/walk is Saturday, April 24, at the La Crescent Community Arena. Registration is from 8 to 8:45 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m.<br /><br />Cost is $12 with registration before April 9 or $15 after or on the day of the race.<br /><br />All entrants will receive a race T-shirt, and awards will be given to top overall finishers and top finishers in each age division.<br /><br />Entry forms and pledge sheets can be picked up from Curves in La Crescent, the La Crescent High School office, Snap Fitness or by calling (507) 317-7749 to leave an address and receive a form by e-mail.<br /><br />The event is sponsored by the LCHS community leadership class and the La Crescent Lancer Link Crew. All pledges will be split between scholarships in Wieser’s name and a donation for the family of Olivia Baker, a La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School student diagnosed with leukemia in December 2009.</blockquote>uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-88536865301095031642010-02-25T16:22:00.000-08:002010-02-25T16:26:23.115-08:00Anniversary of Michael's PassingI found this memorial to Michael on <a target="_blank" href="http://namesofthedead.com/story.php?id=3481"><big><strong>Names of the Dead</strong></big></a><br /><br />Michael Wieser<br />27, La Crescent, MN<br /><br />Jeff Conway writes:<br /><br />"Michael has been a role model in this community since he was in elementary school. He was big for his age, athletic, smart, well-behaved with a great sense of right and wrong that was instilled in him by his parents. He was the all-american boy who was a stand out football, basketball, and baseball player. Michael led his football team to its' only Coulee Conference title in school history. He was also the leader of conference championships in basketball and baseball. He received a football scholarship from North Dakota State University. Michael was on track to become an NFL player until he came down with Wilson's disease. Doctors in North Dakota saved Michael's life and he was able to finish college. He was never able to regain enough weight to have a NFL career, but he was an All-Conference and All-Region TE. After college Michael moved to Las Vegas and worked in the entertainment industry there, along with a local healthclub. Michael no longer qualified to be under his parents healthcare plan, but was unable to get insurance of his own because of his medical history. His Wilson's disease was a pre-existing condition that made insurance unaffordable. Mike also could not afford the expensive medication he was required to take and tried to get by on generic substitutes. Regular doctors visits were also beyond his ability to pay. Last spring Michael's Wislon's disease came back. he was hospitalized in Las Vegas because his kidney's were failing. His family flew out to Vegas to try to get him the help he needed to survive. Because Michael used generic drugs and did not go to the doctor regularly hospital admisnistrators (a real death panel) sentenced Michael to death by refusing to give him the transplant he needed. For three long days Michael's parents fought to save his life trying to find any hospital in the country that was willing to take Mike and give him the tranplant he so desparately needed. A number of institutions ignored the hypocratic oath and turned Michale down. The Mayo Clinic finally accepted Mike only to have his departure held up by the hospital in Las Vegas because they wanted to know who would pay his medical expenses. They held his body ranson and delayed his parents attempt to save his life until they got their "0 pieces of silver". Michael arrived at the Mayo Clinic and was moved to the top of their donor list due to the critical nature of his condition. As he was going through testing for his transplant, Michael's fever spiked to a level that made it impossible for him to receive a transplant. He died the next day. This country lost one of it's best and brightest young men because it was more economically benefitial to insurance companies and hospital adminitrators to let him die. Why do we continue to let this happen? Why? In the name of Michael Troy Wieser, please change this system so that he did not die in vain. Keep fighting the good fight. God bless you, and have mercy on the rest of us who have allowed this immoral system to continue." <br /><br /> - Jeff Conwayuriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-20568074107765446822010-02-24T10:12:00.001-08:002010-02-24T10:24:30.042-08:00Oh Captain! My Captain!O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done; <br />The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won; <br />The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, <br />While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring: <br /> But O heart! heart! heart!<br /> O the bleeding drops of red,<br /> Where on the deck my Captain lies,<br /> Fallen cold and dead.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oPnzaW70Eq_BtS4oOoSk3oS4_bsXcCkqriEWbpb_4pYGTtwiLwwCN78lKDeVIVkzqYsBf69aOPjC2GM-fJR3i4q2XZR6h8fKRkuln44J5W8s4scJ8K1eoqQvOBBbZMS8vqgZPjpK0GFF/s1600-h/O+Captain,+My+Captain+-+Whitman%27s+Lincoln.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oPnzaW70Eq_BtS4oOoSk3oS4_bsXcCkqriEWbpb_4pYGTtwiLwwCN78lKDeVIVkzqYsBf69aOPjC2GM-fJR3i4q2XZR6h8fKRkuln44J5W8s4scJ8K1eoqQvOBBbZMS8vqgZPjpK0GFF/s400/O+Captain,+My+Captain+-+Whitman%27s+Lincoln.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441875764632752146" /></a> <br />2<br /><br />O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;<br />Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills;<br />For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;<br />For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;<br /> Here Captain! dear father!<br /> This arm beneath your head;<br /> It is some dream that on the deck,<br /> You’ve fallen cold and dead.<br /> <br />3<br /><br />My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;<br />My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;<br />The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;<br />From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;<br /> Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!<br /> But I, with mournful tread,<br /> Walk the deck my Captain lies,<br /> ... <br /><br />Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Leaves of Grass. 1900<br /><br /><b>Michael, your great spirit will live forever in our hearts.</b>uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-60750400246285649382009-12-24T07:44:00.000-08:002009-12-24T09:21:42.191-08:00Michael Wieser Memorial Basketball Court completed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Og9ntbGzFia29Y5evSSGNfn-q5niK8z_2WTC8IepECumjXKwyQC1xzEBS2KiFPcNtXI6ffjumEX4pUSuazQ8uGAbHu67qZfc_I6csakvDu0W3LANf5xBj1KacJhm8RDItHpnwL_N4MMl/s1600-h/Gina+Wieser%27s+Photos+-+Michael%27s+Memorial+Basketball+Court+plaque2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Og9ntbGzFia29Y5evSSGNfn-q5niK8z_2WTC8IepECumjXKwyQC1xzEBS2KiFPcNtXI6ffjumEX4pUSuazQ8uGAbHu67qZfc_I6csakvDu0W3LANf5xBj1KacJhm8RDItHpnwL_N4MMl/s400/Gina+Wieser%27s+Photos+-+Michael%27s+Memorial+Basketball+Court+plaque2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418854085224386914" /></a><br /><br />The Senate passed the Health Care bill on Saturday morning at 7:00 am. It's worth noting that if this bill had passed 8 years ago Mike would probably still be with us today. He could have remained on his parents insurance coverage until age 26. That would probably have been long enough keep him alive until he could get coverage of his own. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5g5yupdy8ZKYTvse13NMFz4bH_gewA19q8QG0b0oy8EgN153FMsur3dpP586dwu6D3oGklJaBiaFfH2Vm0o1uqxTWKTqv7dRu6QJDFWguw09nKzg1O55Dfsmck74aIKAhHJ-v5plgWny/s1600-h/Michael,+Bahamas+%2708+-+with+Jess+and+Mike.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5g5yupdy8ZKYTvse13NMFz4bH_gewA19q8QG0b0oy8EgN153FMsur3dpP586dwu6D3oGklJaBiaFfH2Vm0o1uqxTWKTqv7dRu6QJDFWguw09nKzg1O55Dfsmck74aIKAhHJ-v5plgWny/s400/Michael,+Bahamas+%2708+-+with+Jess+and+Mike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418834263921129730" /></a><br /><br />Unfortunately, we cannot just turn back the clock and always try to do what is right or reasonable, but it seems unbelievable to me that we have had fifteen 9/11's every year of people suffering in the same position as Michael and done nothing about it until now.<br /><br />Please work for publically-funded elections and simple vote counting so we can have our democracy back from the special interests that control it.<br /><br />Happy Holidays!<br /><br />Bob <br /><br /><b>This is the Mike Wieser Memorial Basketball Court in La Crescent, Minnesota that was recently completed for our friend.</b><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtFxnRZtarbmmLjMEnmhb-6Xc3mfIGPytAdqKzfemIO-hECathfXfaGRaiSBFmDnyybXpAM_3VC8N4OICYA_USWrSNIHpdsibwrPtxIYA82uTskGCk39gYz0yKOYwKd0b87SEmz5PI2AF/s1600-h/Mike+Wieser+memorial+basketball+court+in+the+new+park+at+the+north+end+of+town--concrete+is+stained+different+colors+and+textures.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtFxnRZtarbmmLjMEnmhb-6Xc3mfIGPytAdqKzfemIO-hECathfXfaGRaiSBFmDnyybXpAM_3VC8N4OICYA_USWrSNIHpdsibwrPtxIYA82uTskGCk39gYz0yKOYwKd0b87SEmz5PI2AF/s400/Mike+Wieser+memorial+basketball+court+in+the+new+park+at+the+north+end+of+town--concrete+is+stained+different+colors+and+textures.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418834738591410514" /></a>uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-47594547075610439502009-08-08T21:11:00.000-07:002009-08-09T15:20:46.437-07:00<h3>Please call your Congress people now<br />(202) 225-3121. We need a public option<br />as an alterntive to bad insurance practices.</h3><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0AOu1_ETnKxDItwT2C0AdSalowPg819Mjj2-5WJdL3L8umDjtiR0jBZeIlEpIz01Io4LyIu0AZotrYOtKYqpEQTblTrwvZTg7ifNYM0yAYQ6WP7IDLr8y8Wsym4EFXmiftO6B0kTUkeD/s1600-h/Michael+and+JAMIE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0AOu1_ETnKxDItwT2C0AdSalowPg819Mjj2-5WJdL3L8umDjtiR0jBZeIlEpIz01Io4LyIu0AZotrYOtKYqpEQTblTrwvZTg7ifNYM0yAYQ6WP7IDLr8y8Wsym4EFXmiftO6B0kTUkeD/s400/Michael+and+JAMIE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367813249034207650" /></a><br /><br />Louis Untermeyer, ed. (1885–1977). Modern British Poetry. 1920. <br /> <br />A. E. Housman. 1859– <br /> <br /><u><b>To An Athlete Dying Young</b></u> <br /> <br />THE time you won your town the race <br />We chaired you through the market-place; <br />Man and boy stood cheering by, <br />And home we brought you shoulder-high. <br /> <br />To-day, the road all runners come,<br />Shoulder-high we bring you home, <br />And set you at your threshold down, <br />Townsman of a stiller town. <br /> <br />Smart lad, to slip betimes away <br />From fields where glory does not stay,<br />And early though the laurel grows <br />It withers quicker than the rose. <br /> <br />Eyes the shady night has shut <br />Cannot see the record cut, <br />And silence sounds no worse than cheers <br />After earth has stopped the ears: <br /> <br />Now you will not swell the rout <br />Of lads that wore their honours out, <br />Runners whom renown outran <br />And the name died before the man.<br /> <br />So set, before its echoes fade, <br />The fleet foot on the sill of shade, <br />And hold to the low lintel up <br />The still-defended challenge-cup. <br /> <br />And round that early-laurelled head <br />Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, <br />And find unwithered on its curls <br />The garland briefer than a girl's.uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-4852566539567708732009-07-22T14:14:00.001-07:002009-07-22T20:26:32.603-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiBAcCRyx_5Ksp5lmNpOsJJI4YCjI9Vy8Ecf6uDMFB5l4XxBtspaOVKHtZm5kq16VC69kdI2nzl4sTfPNzp8jxnFtQAoPX-YL59oWmE___z28rMT-b0NEggdNVo9EfrShIMMlrwEojlwT/s1600-h/Michaels+memorial.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiBAcCRyx_5Ksp5lmNpOsJJI4YCjI9Vy8Ecf6uDMFB5l4XxBtspaOVKHtZm5kq16VC69kdI2nzl4sTfPNzp8jxnFtQAoPX-YL59oWmE___z28rMT-b0NEggdNVo9EfrShIMMlrwEojlwT/s400/Michaels+memorial.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361396083052663778" /></a><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=34281481"><small>Crucifixion Cemetery, La Crescent, MN</small></a><br /><br />When I saw this I thought of Lincoln's words at Gettysburg:<br /><br /><b>"...We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. <br /><br />But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."</b>uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-75684167894002866272009-04-05T11:00:00.000-07:002009-05-25T09:45:48.623-07:00Welcome! Read and learn, share your comments & see the slideshow at the end<h4>WHEN HE DIED, HIS EYES WERE CLOSED AND HIS HEART WAS OPEN</h4><br /><h4>Today, April 25, 2009, my dear friend would have been 28 years old. He is greatly missed by hundreds of people who knew his kind nature and awesome personality. I have the overwhelming feel that something so wrong happened to allow him to die for lack of care in a rich society that allows "healthcare" to exclude life-sustaining medication for it's citizens and voters on the pretext that the need "pre-existed" some event. The magnitude of this is simply inexpressible. <br/> Eventually, the feelings of sadness, anger and guilt may pass, but we will never forget you, Michael my friend, or hopefully your story. Thank you for the moments you shared with us all. <br />- Those who remain.</h4><br /><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dQlzGwxB6GU/SdpBcZAnFXI/AAAAAAAAB0E/rGV1Xbpt8nQ/l_59278d82ef18630e18cb1559351c9c64.jpg"><br /><h4>April 11, 2009 - Tomorrow is Easter marking 46 days since Ash Wednesday, 2009 when my good friend died from massive incompetence, greed and inefficiency of a care system that allows companies to insure <i><b>themselves</b></i> at intolerable cost <u>instead</u> of the people whose charter allows them to exist. This country can no longer afford such a system. Of that, Michael is <u><i>the</i></u> proof.</h4><br /><center><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dQlzGwxB6GU/SdpB1DP-hOI/AAAAAAAAB5U/tBSXLo0xj_Q/s512/Michael%20Troy%20Wieser%20-%20in%20memorium.jpg" /><br /><br />"There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to Jesus' tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.<br /><br />The angel said, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead'."<br /><b>- Matthew 28</b><br /><br />"Christ died for our sins and was buried. On the third day he was raised from the dead and appeared to Peter, and then to all of his apostles. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of his brothers."<br /><b>- 1 Corinthians 15</b></center><br /><br /><hr /><br /><br />This is a memorial site for Michael T. Wieser for all to remember the great, great personality of this strong and kind young man. As we know, he died in the prime of his life at the age of 27 due to complications of Wilson's Disease.<br /><object type="application/x-mplayer2" classid="6BF52A52-394A-11d3-B153-00C04F79FAA6" allowScriptAccess="never" allowNetworking="internal" height="60" width="144"><br /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" /><br /> <param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" /><br /> <param name="InvokeURLs" value="0" /><br /> <param name="fileName" value="http://ftp.pwp.att.net/r/e/regries/otj_750-5140.mp3" /><br /> <param name="URL" value="http://ftp.pwp.att.net/r/e/regries/otj_750-5140.mp3" /><br /> <param name="src" value="http://ftp.pwp.att.net/r/e/regries/otj_750-5140.mp3" /><br /> <param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><br /> <param name="volume" value="80" /><br /> <param name="loop" value="1" /><br /></object><br /><br /><br /><center>His other memorial is here: <b><a href="http://remembermichaeltroy.com/" target="_blank">RememberMichaelTroy.com</a><br />and</b><br />The Wieser Family has set up a <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelwieser" target="_blank"><strong>Caring Bridge</strong></a> site for Michael. Please visit and leave a note for the family on the guestbook<br /><b>and</b><br /><strong><a href="http://karenkoss.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/the-healthcare-crisis-hits-home/" target="_blank">The Healthcare Crisis Hits Home</a></strong> - by Karen Koss</center><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyIoJpNRGyhlin4nZ6w2pWrUWtWEgIqCZD5FXdiZTiCF0A6y7bc1gVAQ8V3ODK0YFwTw_q8ayara8qP_VVrg8RfB7-rsWqrJPrw20umTm8vaiYxEU6GBH0ag0fl2J2iihrLRDwPj-RWaH/s1600-h/Michael+suit+smiling.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321258098364595458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyIoJpNRGyhlin4nZ6w2pWrUWtWEgIqCZD5FXdiZTiCF0A6y7bc1gVAQ8V3ODK0YFwTw_q8ayara8qP_VVrg8RfB7-rsWqrJPrw20umTm8vaiYxEU6GBH0ag0fl2J2iihrLRDwPj-RWaH/s400/Michael+suit+smiling.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I knew Michael since early in 2006 and miss him very much, as we all do who knew and appreciated him for the valuable and exemplary human being he was.<br /><br />We so wanted to watch him go forth and grow in wisdom and renown and to bless the lives of all he met as he did to ours.<br /><table style="MARGIN: auto; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none"><tbody><tr><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 35px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; COLOR: #b2b7f2; PADDING-TOP: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="top" width="20"><br />“</td><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" valign="top"><br /><strong><i><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:120;">Abraham Lincoln his hand and pen<br />He will be good but god knows when.<br />- Abe himself</span></i></strong><br /></td><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 36px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; COLOR: #b2b7f2; PADDING-TOP: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="20"><br />”</td></tr></tbody></table><br />If I had <em><strong>NOT</strong></em> known Michael for a brief three years I would be the poorer for it. For all this I am most grateful.<br /><br />My other purpose in the memorial is dealing with the healthcare issues that lead directly to Michael's premature death and separation from this world. We can do it, and we can help prevent future situations from happening in the future to disease sufferers and people who are knowingly or not uninsured or underinsured in their times of need.<br /><hr /><br /><br /><b>April 11, 2009</b><br /><br />The medical bills that Michael's family must have gotten from five days of intensive care must be huge. The bills probably totaled exactly the cost of Michael's specialized medications for the last two years or three years, but the difference is that our friend is gone now.<br /><br /><table style="MARGIN: auto; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none"><tbody><tr><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 35px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; COLOR: #b2b7f2; PADDING-TOP: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="top" width="20"><br />“</td><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" valign="top"><br /><strong><i><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:120;">But they killed him in his kindness,<br />In their madness and their blindness,<br />- Herman Melville of Lincoln</span></i></strong><br /></td><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 36px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; COLOR: #b2b7f2; PADDING-TOP: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="20"><br />”</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Such an absurd system of care for folks who have desperate but easily met needs! For example, 1 in 30,000 people have Wilson's disease. That makes the monthly cost to the insurance pool of giving Michael the best drug that he needed, Trienamine, would have been about one or two pennies a month for every person in the pool.<br /><br />In the way this nightmare unfolded to his family and friends, trying to get him admitted to a transplant center and being told "no" because he had not "complied" with his previous expensive medication regimen; finally finding out that Mayo, Rochester would admit him on the basis of the family's reputation and promise to self-pay the $250,000.00 cost of a transplant. And then finally getting him life-flighted from Vegas--sans plasmaphoresis and dialysis, I might add--to have his vital signs fail on the next day. It must have been truly hidious for the nine of them who came out to try and get him treated.<br /><br />It's so wrong to expect a young person starting out in life who has a rare condition to be able to absolutely afford pills that cost $20/day--as much as a BMW car--but we do it.<br /><br />When I met Michael three years ago he told me that he had a medical condition with copper, and that he did have health insurance. For some reason, after that I never questioned it and just assumed that he had access to prescription drugs through his plan. I wonder if Mike ever knew that I personally would have moved heaven and earth to get him the drug he needed to keep him alive--the second-tier drug, Penacillamine, which cost $90 per month and had a few side effects. Maybe we could even had done on and off with the better drug or worked the whole thing out.<br /><table style="MARGIN: auto; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none"><tbody><tr><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 35px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; COLOR: #b2b7f2; PADDING-TOP: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="top" width="20"><br />“</td><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" valign="top"><br /><strong><i><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:120;">When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd,<br />And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night,<br />I mourn'd, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.<br />Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring,<br />Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west<br />And thought of him I love.<br />- Walt Whitman of Lincoln</span></i></strong><br /></td><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 36px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; COLOR: #b2b7f2; PADDING-TOP: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="20"><br />”</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I think it might be hard for a super guy like Mike to ask for help with his health care expenses from friends and family, even in the midst of a nasty recession that has been dragging on like this one since November, 2007 where he could probably not get enough work in advertising to make ends meet for a while. That's the time when we need a safety net below which people cannot fall to their destruction. The irony was that it wouldn't at all have even been expensive to the net to take care of this guy!<br /><br />It seems like a tragedy to Mike, and us and a couple of hundred other people who knew how cool and valuable he was. He was thrown away and wasted. For no good reason.<br /><br />Something should come out of this pain and loss. Marching in the street is cool, or going to call on our representatives in Congress with Michael's story. I have posted his story to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.HealthReform.gov">Health<b>Reform</b>.gov</a> where you can also sign up to participate and engage with political forums in your own communities. <br /><table style="MARGIN: auto; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none"><tbody><tr><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 35px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; COLOR: #b2b7f2; PADDING-TOP: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="top" width="20"><br />“</td><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" valign="top"><br /><strong><i><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:120;">By ourselves this change will not happen. Divided we are bound to fail. But the life of a tall, gangly, self made Springfield lawyer tells us that a different future is possible. He tells us that there is power in words. He tells us that there is power in conviction, that beneath all the differences of race and region, faith and station, we are one people. He tells us that there is power in hope.<br />- President Obama of the Railsplitter</span></i></strong><br /></td><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 36px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; COLOR: #b2b7f2; PADDING-TOP: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="20"><br />”</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><hr /><br />Here is a recent video piece from <b><i>60 Minutes</b></i> that is worth viewing:<br /><br /><h2><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/03/60minutes/main4917055.shtml">Bad Economy Leaves Cancer Patients Without Health Insurance In Dire Straits</a></h2><br /><hr /><br /><blockquote>There will be a fantastic fundraiser for the Michael Wieser Benefit. Many of you have already heard about the 5K Run/Walk. Here are the details:<br /><br /><strong>Michael Troy Wieser 5k Run/Walk</strong><br /><br />Saturday <strong>May 16, 2009 9:00 AM-12 Noon</strong><br />Pre-registration from 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM<br />Race starts and ends at the La Crescent Community Arena. The Arena is at 520 S. 14th St in La Crescent<br /><br />Only $12 if you register before May 1st.<br />$15 if you register after May 1st or on the day of the race.<br /><br />All entrants receive a race T-shirt and awards will be given to top overall finishers in each age division.<br /><br />Pick up entry form and pledge sheet from Curves in La Crescent, La Crescent High School Office, or call Shelley Gates at 608-317-7749 and leave your address to receive one by e-mail.<br /><br />*Sponsored by the La Crescent Lancer Link Crew.<br />*All proceeds go to the Wieser family and a future scholarship in Michael's name.<br />If you cannot attend, you can make a pledge to those who are walking from Mike's family by contacting the author of this caringbridge site.</blockquote><br /><br /><hr /><br /><br /><h2>Mountain Biking</h2><br />Mike and I first started mountain biking at Lake Tahoe in the Summer of 2006. I lent him my spare bike so we could go out and thrash the alpine trails around the lake. Biking was good exercise for his ACL problem because it does not strain the knees as much as running can. We had a lot of fun, and he seemed to me very coordinated even on fast downhill sections. I prepped him a bit for the latter and Michael just tore down the little hills around there like a freaking pro! I've done this sport for years, but Mike was so adept at athletic stuff that he could one-trial learn it. I took great pleasure in his adventurous spirit and basic intelligence.<br /><br />It seems so inconceiveable to me now that he is gone so suddenly at the age of 27 when he had a good life and a lot to live for. Michael was smart, and a good listener and a kind soul that the world will struggle to replace. But his spirit will always be remembered.<br /><br />I pray that we will somehow heal from the complete shock of this, and that something good will come out of the seeming horror of it.<br /><br />To me it seems wrong to seriously expect a 20-year old to pay $400 per month out of his own pocket for special medicine for a rare condition. Since the incidence of Wilson's is 1 in 30,000 the cost of helping the rare disease sufferer to the other 29,999 health plan members is about 1 to 2 cents per month. It just is ridiculous the way the system is set up now in our country to exclude people and just expect them to get along on their own resources, expecially in a difficult economic time, and when they are young and just starting out. That is what a safety net it for: to provide a level of care below which our peers cannot fall to their destruction.<br /><br /><hr />uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-45599545799417832302009-04-05T10:29:00.000-07:002009-04-13T05:18:38.101-07:00Las Vegas Review Journal story<h3><a href="http://www.ktnv.com/global/story.asp?s=9908554">Could local entertainer's life have been saved?</a></h3> <br />Red tape may have gotten in the way of saving a local entertainer and model's life. <br /><br />His friends shared their anger and concern with Action News. The lack of benefits that went with Michael Troy's line of work may have kept him from getting the care he needed. Just when there were signs of progress, he lost his fight Wednesday. <br /><br />Action News reporter Steve Ryan talked to one of his best friends moments after he passed away. <br /><br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-649e242e37faf0a6 height=350 width=420 contentId="649e242e37faf0a6"></OBJECT><br /><br />Michael's friends say he may have been a victim of cutbacks like so many other people lately. He himself had to cut corners from managing his disease, and when it got worse, Nevada couldn't subsidize him because it lost its donor program last year. <br /><br />Now, Michael's friends don't want other people to have to follow suit. "He was a friend that you could count on. He was always there when you needed him. He was just, just a good guy," says Brian Brown. Brian befriended Michael years ago, working with him in Las Vegas' entertainment community. <br /><br />On the outside, Michael was the picture of health, but on the inside, he was battling liver disease. He went to a hospital over the weekend, with what he thought was a cold. "When finally someone came in Monday morning and they got him out Monday afternoon, it was already too late," says Brian. Michael died at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota Wednesday evening. <br /><br />He needed a liver transplant, but was taken off the list. Work in today's uncertain economy had been tight for him, like so many of Las Vegas' other independent contractors. That may have cost Michael more than a paycheck. "He couldn't afford the medication, which was like three to four hundred dollars a month to take care of this, on top of going to the hospital to get plasma treatments as well," says Brian. <br /><br />Michael's friends say if he'd been able to afford the track-record of care, he'd likely have gotten that transplant. Now that Michael's gone, they don't want other freelancers caught in the same red tape. "Something needs to be done no matter who does it or how it happens. This could not have happened to a better person with a bigger heart," says Brian. Michael was just 27 years old. Click here to learn more about Wilson's disease and how you can donate to a benefit set up in Michael's memory.uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-6614313430119606312009-02-26T18:00:00.000-08:002009-04-12T11:38:03.412-07:00WKBT Video story, February 26, 2009<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='420' height='350' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz1zY76YZVmRtjI8JjUi8PJtI4v4OR6_I-vuEhwsssmTD-csP_s__HxNG1fKhxyFzNCjuJUni1DMxr_lgm70w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.wkbt.com/global/story.asp?S=10123203">Uninsured and Out of Time</a> - WKBT La Crosse, Wisconsin, Feb. 26, 2009<br /><br /><blockquote>Nearly 46-million. That's how many Americans are living without health insurance. A problem that's only getting worse as the economy struggles to recover.<br /><br />For some, the lack of health insurance is simply an inconvenience, but for one La Crescent native, it was the difference between life and death.<br /><br />On the outside, 27 year old Michael Troy Wieser was the picture of happiness. He was good looking, athletic and had a smile that was contagious. Michael's mom Sheila says, "Michael was an amazing guy. He was so talented with sports, but more than that, he had a heart of gold." Growing up, Michael was one of 12 adopted kids, number seven to be exact. But he always found a way to stand out in the crowd. Sheila says, "he never sought the limelight, he just was the limelight because of his talent." Michael was a standout athlete at La Crescent High School. After graduation in 1999, he headed to North Dakota State University on a full athletic scholarship. It was there at the young age of 20, he got some devastating news. Doctors diagnosed Michael with Wilson's Disease, a rare genetic disorder. "What it is, is an excess of copper in the system and it stores up either in the liver, the brain or the kidney and in Michael's case it stored up in the liver. They described it to us as dumping rat poison into your system, because it just attacked all the blood," says Sheila. Although the news was difficult to hear for such a healthy and active young man, Michael didn't let it get him down.<br /><br />After graduating from N.D.S.U. with a business degree, he eventually landed in Las Vegas. In between the bright lights and glitz of sin city, Michael was emerging as a promising modeling star. "He was good at it and we didn't even realize how popular he was, that they things he did, we didn't even realize that he was doing some of those things." But behind Michael's big smile came the same struggles that thousands of others face everyday. Because Michael had a pre-existing condition and was an independent contractor working as a model, it was nearly impossible for him to get health insurance. Sheila says, "even if he could've gotten the insurance it would've been so expensive and then the medication they would've required according to be totally compliant, was at least $3,000 a month for the medication only." As an alternative, Michael had been taking a less expensive, over the counter medication, but it would prove to be not enough. This past February, Michael checked into a Las Vegas hospital. Sheila says, "we were told by the doctor caring for him out there that his prognosis was grave, his chances were slim, he needed an immediate liver transplant, but because he didn't have health insurance and that it was weekend, and that was an exact excuse , the chances were very slim that Michael could live." With his parents and nine of his brothers and sisters by his side, Michael's condition was deteriorating quickly, his family helpless. But they weren't about to give up on the person they loved so much. "We ourselves as a family started looking for transplant centers around the country. We started calling hospitals ourselves, asking if we could get our son in. We offered to do self-pay, that we would find the money some place to save our son," says Sheila.<br /><br />Finally, after dozens of phone calls and begging and pleading, the Mayo Clinic agreed to accept Michael as a charitable case. He was put on the highest level status in the country for a liver transplant and the Wieser's arranged medical transportation on their own. But a day after arriving in Rochester, it was too late. "It went so fast, we really didn't have a lot of time. The original doctor who treated him out at Maricare sent us an e-mail and his words to us were that he should not have died, that the health profession failed Michael in this case and failed us." Which is why Michael's mom is now fighting for change. "Are you angry? I'm very angry. In a country such as ours, that a 27 year old man with a genetically inherited disease had to die because he didn't have health insurance." By telling Michael's story to others, she's hoping to save just one person so she knows her son didn't die in vain. "I just hope someone can take Michael's case and use it as an example for what is lacking in our health insurance in the United States. I know he would want me and his family to keep pursuing this."<br /><br />Sheila is issuing a complaint with the Nevada State Health Department about the way the hospital treated Michael out in Las Vegas. She's also contacting lawmakers and others to try and get some changes made to the health care system.<br /><br /></blockquote><br /><br /><b>Comments on WKBT:</b><br /><br /><small><strong>Matthew</strong> - Saturday, April 04, 2009<br />I would also like to "Thank You" so very much for interviewing my Mom. For all those who knew Mike and his story, we all miss him so much. He was the ideal brother, son, relative, and friend. We are all hoping that something beneficial comes from the story. Mikey was loved by all who met him. Thanks for turning this tragedy into something very special for our family by covering this story.<br /><br /><strong>missy</strong> - Friday, April 03, 2009<br />Thank you for interviewing my Mom. I am praying that the country can come together on this major issue of healthcare. Families should not have to watch their love ones die because they do not have financial means to access healthcare. It affects us all. We have received so much support. Michael was a true inspiration to all .<br /></small>uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-75664470214354217782009-02-25T13:17:00.000-08:002009-04-06T13:45:07.940-07:00Former Bison Tight End Mike Wieser Passes Away at 27<p>courtesy: NDSU Athletic Media Relations Release: 02/25/2009<br /><br />Michael Troy Wieser, 27, died Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Mayo Transplant Center, Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.<br /><br />Michael was born April 26, 1981 and was welcomed to the loving family of Richard and Sheila Wieser. Michael attended La Crescent schools and graduated in 1999. Michael loved team sports and was a standout athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He was named Tribune Coulee Region Player of the Year in basketball. He accepted an athletic scholarship to the North Dakota State University to play football for the Bison where he was named Daktronics Division II All-America. He graduated from NDSU in 2003 with a degree in business administration.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f8-dtBuxPvy46ibUTgk78RVE-69R-qHygnnR9H8eJbal6f3Q-__VBmeoVCMI8I42g-B-U9Dr5CypSigihohJtMnL6Frxjhx0E2bQefA7NJYQeB3NBkoD1FRIcztrlSX-41u0N2m-IG2H/s1600-h/MNJTUJHURAEHLWM.20090227174253.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f8-dtBuxPvy46ibUTgk78RVE-69R-qHygnnR9H8eJbal6f3Q-__VBmeoVCMI8I42g-B-U9Dr5CypSigihohJtMnL6Frxjhx0E2bQefA7NJYQeB3NBkoD1FRIcztrlSX-41u0N2m-IG2H/s400/MNJTUJHURAEHLWM.20090227174253.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321682168927346290" /></a><br /><br />After graduation, Michael moved to Las Vegas, Nev., where he lived and worked until his death. In his years in Las Vegas, Michael developed many dear friends who became his Nevada family. Michael was diagnosed with Wilson’s disease in 2001 while as a student at NDSU. Through the extraordinary efforts, Michael’s life was saved eight years ago in Fargo, N.D., when he was first diagnosed with this rare, genetic disease. The Wieser family is full of faith that Michael was given eight extra years of life in order to touch many more people with his personality and love.<br />Michael is survived by his parents, Richard and Sheila (Hennessy) Wieser, La Crescent, five sisters, Melissa (John) Atkinson, London, Canada; Jill (Brian) Zifko, Ashland, WI; Katie (Aaron) Miller, La Crosse; Jaclyn, Las Vegas, NV; and Elizabeth, La Crosse. He is also survived by six brothers, Todd (Gina), La Crescent; Matt (Jayde-Fiancé ), Robbinsdale, MN; Jon, Ryan, La Crescent; Peter, La Crosse; and Joshua, La Crescent. He will also be deeply missed by his nieces and nephews Madison, Olivia, and Logan Atkinson; Ashley, Andrew, Jack, Nicholas, and Simon Wieser; Dylan, Ayden, and Ahnali Zifko; Kalieb, Dakota, and Makenzie Wieser. Uncle Mike was their hero who played with them and loved them. Michael is also survived by many, many aunts and uncles and cousins. Michael had a unique gift of being able to be at home with young and old, friends and family, and make those around him feel special. Michael was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John and Hazel Hennessy and his paternal grandparents, Al and Melinda Wieser.<br /><br />A Mass of Christian burial was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 2, at La Crescent Crucifixion Church in La Crescent with Father Havel officiating. Burial will be at Crucifixion Cemetery immediately following. Family and friends may call on Sunday, March 1, at Crucifixion Church in La Crescent from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. Schumacher – Kish and the McCormick Funeral Homes will be assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family to be shared among organizations and charities dear to Michael’s heart. To express condolences online please visit www.schumacher-kish.com “And he will raise you up on eagle’s wing. Bear you on the breath of dawn. Make you to shine like the sun. And hold you in the palm of his hand</p>uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339806402573550532.post-74658545835252982392009-02-24T23:08:00.000-08:002009-04-16T23:16:37.896-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBG8HQE2Sw-mbxuslH-IFCXSbcsiSA7j0j_6s1wMb3wxlKuKcBmxqm9qZnf8YHAusa1j2e__jMe2pa6VWUiJxW5Sza14y_EFLLSN8PNyvrQJjS-QWtO6zCbkH7qXCXbJ0txaxfdWOxlSD/s1600-h/Well+-+Tara+Parker-Pope+on+Health.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325539434288072914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBG8HQE2Sw-mbxuslH-IFCXSbcsiSA7j0j_6s1wMb3wxlKuKcBmxqm9qZnf8YHAusa1j2e__jMe2pa6VWUiJxW5Sza14y_EFLLSN8PNyvrQJjS-QWtO6zCbkH7qXCXbJ0txaxfdWOxlSD/s400/Well+-+Tara+Parker-Pope+on+Health.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></p><br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/the-reluctant-organ-donor/?src=twt&twt=nytimes">The Reluctant Organ Donor<br /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">April 16, 2009, 11:20 am — Updated: 11:20 am</span></strong></p><br /><p>Most licensed drivers don’t sign up to be organ donors, and it may be due to fears about the organ donation process, a new survey suggests.<br /><br />Only 38 percent of licensed drivers are registered to be organ donors, despite the fact that many states offer a simple registration process that typically just requires a signature when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license. An online survey of 5,100 people conducted by the advocacy group Donate Life America found that many people still harbor fears about what organ donation really means. </p><ul><li>23 percent of people fear they are not healthy enough or are too old to donate their organs.</li><li>50 percent of respondents are concerned that doctors will not try as hard to save them if they are known to be an organ donor. </li><li>44 percent believe there is a black market in which people can buy or sell organs or tissue. </li><li>57 percent question whether or not a person can recover from brain death. </li></ul><p>Donate Life chairwoman Sara Pace Jones said common misconceptions about organ donation may be due, in part, to inaccurate media portrayals of the process.<br /><br />“Some fears are perpetuated by dramatic television shows that, because they have to tell a complete story in an hour or less, don’t have time to show the accurate and entire process of donation,” Ms. Pace Jones said. “Many times I have seen a story unfold where the same physician treats the patient when admitted to the hospital, takes them to surgery, pronounces the patient dead, accesses the transplant list and does the organ recovery and transplant. But this is not how the donation process happens. The doctor who is trying to save the life of the injured patient is not the same doctor who recovers organs for transplantation.”<br /><br />Helping people understand exactly how the process of organ donation works is the first step toward alleviating fears that doctors don’t work as hard to save organ donors, she said. For instance, many people don’t realize that the organizations that check donor and patient registries and coordinate donations are separate from the hospital where a patient is treated.<br /><br />“People are reassured that everything will be done to save their lives after an accident when they understand that the doctors who treat them have nothing to do with the transplantation process,” she said.<br /><br />Donate Life America is launching a page on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/donatelife">www.facebook.com/donatelife</a> to make it easier for users to register as donors. Just click on the link and then click on the “Register” tab.</p><p></p>uriel81http://www.blogger.com/profile/07086335184104064091noreply@blogger.com0