Willie Brady

Welcome to Willie and Gene's recent journey. This page is being set up as a communication tool to share updates about our physical journey and possible help that may be necessary.

As many of you may know, Willie was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in August of 2015. This disease we have learned is progressive and not curable. This has been difficult for us to understand and accept but we are doing our best.

It is now time to focus on what is most important and that is our wonderful life together and our amazing family and friends. To complicate this journey, Gene will be having hip surgery on June 29th. Unfortunately the pain and mobility has gotten too bad and needs desperate repair. So you can imagine that it will be difficult for Gene to be both patient and caregiver. We would like to utilize this site for both updates and positive energy,

During the next few weeks if anyone in the Phoenix area is available to help out, we would be forever grateful. We are trying to organize a team of caregivers to help with meal preparation, transportation to medical appointments and arms to hold Willie and Gene get to the bathroom. We know many of you are very busy. If anyone can help at anytime including overnight during those first few days Gene is home from the hospital it would take a load off.

Our friends from our days at Holy Ghost in Wood Dale live out here and have graciously offered to help in this organizational effort. Cookie was the school secretary at Holy Ghost, the other "taller" Mrs. O'Brien. Her daughter Barb was a student of Willie's. Barb is also a Medical Social Worker and has been offering her expertise.

If you are able to help out in anyway during these difficult weeks of Gene's rehabilitation, please contact Cookie at 602-717-3266. Or you may email Barb at klausergirl@gmail.com.

Any and all help is appreciated. Please provide Cookie and/or Barb your contact information and times available.

Please look for updates here weekly.

Thank you for your kindness.

Gene