By Charlie Mathews
Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
Copyright © 2003
Gannett Wisconsin Online

TWO RIVERS ? Lou Gehrig?s disease has slowed Bill Behnke?s speech and robbed him of some of his mobility, but it hasn?t stolen his zest for life.

Behnke, 61, hasn?t surrendered his sense of humor to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, his love affair with wife, Joyce, or the lively verbal banter he enjoys with Hospice worker Kay White.

White is a new person in Behnke?s life. She is a volunteer in Holy Family Memorial?s Hospice program. Four years post-diagnosis of ALS, Behnke?s condition has worsened to the point he has become eligible for Hospice care.

?Chewing the rag. I can still do that,? Behnke said of White?s Thursday afternoon visits where lively conversation focuses on current events, local gossip and whatever else they want to talk about.

There?s a small canvas bag of White?s on the kitchen counter, ?Volunteers ? Lifting Lives, Spirits and Hearts? and that?s just what she tries to do. In fact, sometimes Hospice program volunteers can make such a difference that patients are discharged from the program.

?Hospice is not a death sentence or giving up on your terminally ill loved one. Hospice is comfort care for patients and families, when it?s needed most,? said Volunteers Coordinator Sue Fink.

She said Hospice is ?having what we want for our end of life care, seeing whom we want, saying what we want, being comforted physically, emotionally and spiritually, and being given a chance to celebrate the life we have lived.

Holy Family Memorial has had clients that do so well their health improves and for one woman volunteers and medical staff helped her gain weight, want to interact with people again, regain strength and no longer met the criteria for hospice. Volunteers continue to make ?unofficial? friendship visits.

?I?d like to see my grandchildren graduate from high school but one is only 4,? said Behnke, who realizes he may not make it to his birthday, Nov. 9.

?None of us know when our final day will be. You take one day at a time and be thankful for it,? said Joyce Behnke. ?Only God knows how long it will be.?

?When I?m in heaven I?ll be walking around with all the rest,? he said, looking forward to liberation from the muscle deterioration ravages of ALS.

Behnke relies on a Jazzy Model 1122 wheelchair with seven forward speeds, joystick control strapped to his head, a $27,000 contraption that gives him freedom around the house and occasional jaunts outdoors in good weather.

?Hospices in Harmony? will be co-hosted Saturday evening by Holy Family Memorial and University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc.

The ?joyous program of song and art celebrating life? will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the University Theatre. Admission is free with donations going to Holy Family Memorial?s Hospice Program.

For more information on the program or becoming a Hospice volunteer call Sue Fink, (920) 686-8658.