A friend waves to Mike and Lee Durst (under the umbrella) Friday evening outside of AgeCare Valleyview. Mike has been living with ALS for the past two years.--NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
Friends and family got together Friday to wish Mike Durst a happy 56th birthday.
Durst’s wife Lee was by his side as friends drove by AgeCare Valleyview, honked their horns and wished him a special day. Lee says her husband has been living with ALS for the past two years and that gestures like this go a long way.
“This means a lot for Mike,” she said. “Just for him to see the support and that there’s people who care – that’s huge.
“Everyone has been so supportive through this and we appreciate it.”
Durst’s original diagnosis of the disease was on June 15, 2018. His wife says it is a terrible disease to watch a loved one live with.
“ALS basically shuts down your body,” she said. “His mind is very clear, but you lose the function of your body. He can’t move his arms. He can’t walk. He can’t talk. He can’t eat.
“This is a horrible, horrible disease.”
Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Durst family was not able to visit Mike at AgeCare Valleyview. As time passed window visits were arranged. Now that the weather is warmer, physically distanced parking lot visits are possible.
Durst’s ALS is known as Bulbar, which is an aggressive form of the disease.
The couple has been married since 1986 and started dating four years before that. The pair has two daughters and met when Lee was 16 and Mike was 18. she says her husband is a great person.
“He is a strong, hardworking man,” she said. “He’s your average, blue-collar kind of guy. He was a concrete finisher for many years and always worked hard for a living.”
Lee says she tells her husband’s ongoing story to spread awareness about the disease he lives with.
“People don’t know a lot about ALS,” she said. “The ALS Society does amazing work, and I would encourage anyone who can make a donation to make one.”
