My story begins at birth. I was born in 1962 with very mild Cerebral Palsy (CP) affecting my left side. My mother was only 22 years old. Although I did not realize it at the time, this was the beginning of a very long journey that continues to this day (54 years later) for my mother as a dedicated and loving caregiver.

My mild illness has been one of four illnesses that have affected our family. Sixteen years later, my sister Deb G, was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes during her senior year of high school in 1978. My mother became extremely active in volunteering for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Southern New Jersey Chapter. She worked tirelessly researching Diabetes and educating herself and my sister on what they could do to help her maintain a normal life style while raising money for the cause holding events such as Fashion Shows and Walkathons. Fortunately, at this time, my father Mr. Bill G was healthy and working hard to enhance his career and provide for his family.

Back tracking for a minute, my mother’s father died in 1967. He was a blue collar worker juggling multiple jobs in order to try to give his family the best life they could have. Upon his passing, both my mother and father realized her mother would not be able to support herself. They agreed she should move in with our family.

Seven years after my sister was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes, my father Mr. Bill G was diagnosed with our family’s third incurable chronic illness – Multiple Sclerosis – in 1985. This was devastating as my mother now had to emotionally care for a child with CP, a child with Diabetes, an aging mother who moved in with us AND a husband with MS. This is the culmination of the definition of what a legacy caregiver must be and at only 44 years old.

As my father’s MS got worse, my grandmother had become really ill battling the fourth incurable chronic illness – Congestive Heart Failure – in the early 1990’s. At this point, my mother turned up her legacy caregiver skills full throttle. She now had four people to dedicate her time and provide care – myself, my sister, my father and now her mother. If there was any blessing at all, three of the illnesses have only caused my mother emotional exhaustion. Her mother passed away peacefully in her bed the morning of Valentine’s Day 1995. Only my father’s MS creates both emotional and physical exhaustion.

As my father has become weaker over the past few years, my mother has implemented a transfer board and a Hoyer lift at home as well as a wheel-chair accessible van in order to alleviate some (although not much) physical exhaustion from her day-to-day life.

Through this website and “Tell Us Your Story” section, my wife Janine and I hope to offer others the opportunity to pay tribute to someone in their life either battling an incurable illness or being the caregiver of someone special in their lives. Although I have had both in my life, I would not change a thing except healing my father from MS and relieving my mother of her legacy caregiving life! They have been more than any child could ever ask for to me!
Thank you mother and father! I love you.

“Pacing for the Cure” was designed to offer everyone the opportunity to take some time out of their hectic life to enjoy our young race horse’s progression to the races, network with others at fun events, and raise donations for many causes beginning with Multiple Sclerosis.
Janine and I plan on donating a percentage of MR BILL G the Pacer’s net proceeds to MS.

Son of Mr. Bill G and Mrs. Barbara G:
Jeff G, New Jersey