Past

In memory of Jacqueline 'Jackie' Keener.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio 1944, she spent her early childhood years surrounded by a large family and elementary friends. Most of whom she is still in touch with and loves dearly.

Moved to Lower Moreland in Pennsylvania enjoying her high school years, meeting my father and completing her degree at Temple University.

Once again on an adventure, they moved to California where she has lived those 35+ years since. Collecting even more friendships and sharing her love as teacher, mother, friend...with a hearty appetite for travel and living. She loved the beach and being outdoors, hiking, yoga and healthy living.

Present

A couple of years ago we noticed some changes in her speech and after a year of searching for answers, she was diagnosed last spring with ALS, a neurological motor neuron disease.

The outlook was a bit frightening, we didn't know how it would progress or effect her. Determined to live and adapt to these changes with quality of life, she continued to maintain her own residence until a few months before her death when she moved into assisted residential living in Scotts Valley, CA. 

She was very fortunate to continue to have significant mobility while she battled her symptoms. Though she was moving slower than we were use to  seeing her, she was able to still walk and have dexterity with her hands which she was thankful for. Her main challenges were with lowered capacity of respiration and swallowing. Frustration was often the most difficult emotion. 

She chose a zinging (tiger print) cane to assist her, but rarely used it. A walker was next, but remained virtually untouched, the manual wheelchair was just in case and for those long walks up until the last month.

Around the holidays she was feeling the loss of diaphragm muscles and started using a bi-pap a couple of times a day. This helped tremendously. 

She chose no medications, no feeding tube or respirator. Her struggle to swallow and eat was the most difficult. She loved food and little nibbles of chocolate ;-)~

Weight loss was slow at first, but as it became more difficult to swallow, she began to lose weight much more easily. Still, she smiled, prayed, chatted away with her friends online, showed her love and support for her kids and cheered on her grandchildren. She found her exercise, while not what it once was still included yoga, the kettlebell for a swing here and there and being outdoors. She missed the pace of her active life, it was easy to realize the joy in all of this...her loved ones.

In her last month, she tired quickly but after a short nap, enjoyed visits from the family and her friends. More chats online, webcams and oh! the texting. The ipad was a gem, whiteboard and snazzy features...

Future

Over the last year, her physical body aged at least 30 years. She left us in the blink of an eye. Early on the morning of April 5, 2011 she took her last breath in the comfort of her own home with her children at her side and rode on a path of prayers to heaven.

Now, her wish is that we continue to spread the word. Awareness is vital for this motor neuron disease (MND). Help for people with ALS (PALS), resources, information and assistance can make daily living more enjoyable and less struggle. 

There is no cure, there is barely a process and it effects everyone differently. Average life expectancy is 3-5 years from diagnoses. For Jackie it was just about a year. We feel blessed that she did not suffer years of debilitating symptoms. 

She experienced an outpouring of love and joy in that short time from those that offered her their, hands, hearts and assistance just as she has done for so many over the years.

The ALS Association, through your donations, offers invaluable services directly to those patients via education materials, connections and lending closet. 

Please come back and check in. Look for us in the future as we plan to continue to be active in offering hope through awareness. 

hope heALS~

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