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As a teenager, Blanche suffered horrible headaches and burning sensations. She felt as if she would pass out, and on some occasions, she did. No one could diagnose the problem. She was often told, Its in your mind or Everyone has troubles; learn to manage it. At one point it was believed she had polio.
A master seamstress, Blanche sewed all of her childrens clothes. With intricate detail, she cross-stitched and embroidered crewel work. Her knitting skills were flawless. As her symptoms progressed, she offered up a prayer: God, if you have to take something, please take my legs. A wheelchair will get me places, but once I get there, I want to be able to DO something. Yet she didnt complain as she watched her left hand, and then her right, lose all function. For years Blanche felt alone with these physical maladies, but she found comfort in knowing that her husband, Henry, was by her side. They have now been married over 55 years.
Blanche was finally diagnosed with syringomyelia and Chiari in 1962. Her first major surgery was at New England Medical Center in Boston. During the 8 1/2 hour procedure, she was cut from the back of her head halfway down her back as the surgeon performed his first decompression and laminectomy; he read up about the surgery but had never done this type of operation before meeting Blanche. After post-surgical complications set in, which included hepatitis and spinal meningitis, she was hospitalized for another five weeks.
It was hoped the surgery would prevent further deterioration in her left hand as well as stop the progression of SM and Chiari in other areas, but that was not to be. Over time, her right hand was also affected, resulting in the inability to use either hand. Eventually SM and Chiari permeated her body. In addition to losing her balance, walking became very difficult, sometimes impossible. Recently she has found the need to stay confined to her chair or a wheelchair more often than not. Yet through it all, Blanche found solace in one of her favorite quotes, This, too, shall pass.
In 1988 Blanche and Henry heard about ASAP. They joined soon thereafter and attended the first ASAP conference in 1989 in Colorado Springs. Blanche will never forget the incredible people with inspiring lives they met. The experience was so remarkable that she and Henry made a conscious decision to become dedicated members.
Due to the return of violent headaches in 1989 and in an attempt to stop further progression, Blanche had a shunt put in at Craig Hospital in Colorado, a facility specializing in head and neck surgery. The shunt failed and had to be removed in 1991, only to be replaced with a peritoneal shunt that emptied into the abdominal cavity.
Blanche felt the surgeries helped some, yet she grew to accept that as she could do less and less, her husband had to do more and more. Syringomyelia and Chiari have been as much a part of Henrys life as they have been Blanches. Both sincerely value the lives God gave them; their faith has gotten them through undue hardships. Humor is a part of their daily lives, too. Henry jokes that he cant die right now because the stock market is so bad. He frequently tells the story how he has finally figured out what its like to be middle-aged and wonders what old age will be like. Its all, as he says, just the erosion of youth. This light-heartedness has helped Blanche through many difficult days.
When Henry had a stroke in April of this year, Blanche was frustrated that she wasnt able to physically help the man who had been her steadfast support over the years. Yet the emotional and spiritual guidance cannot be minimized. Henry dearly loves and appreciates his wife. He believes it takes amazing grace to be a strong-willed, capable person stuck in a body that no longer works. If his wife hadnt had the constitution, the faith and the will that she has, he knows she wouldnt have made it this far.
Blanches spunk and courage have given her the strength to face each day with optimism. After raising three wonderful daughters, Marilyn, Julie and Betty, she delights in her three grandchildren, Dickie, Ben and Kate. Grateful for her family and friends whom she loves, Blanche considers herself lucky. Over the years, she had the opportunity to do a great deal of traveling with Henry. They no longer travel, but memories of past trips, especially to ASAP conferences, are cherished.
Devoted ASAP members, the Luckrafts won an award in 1999 for attending ten consecutive years of conferences, more than anyone else had at that time. They have donated generously to the organization and dont miss an opportunity to mention ASAP to others. This includes providing local doctors - and anyone else interested - with informational brochures.
Finding ASAP was one of the best things that happened to Blanche. She realized she was no longer alone in her pain and in these conditions. Henry found other men and women who were, like him, caregivers to the people they loved. They both discovered a community of people who truly understood and were doing whatever they could to help themselves and others. Blanche supported many newly diagnosed people who called her through the ASAP networking program. She comforted them with her caring, listening and understanding.
At one point Blanche and Henry confided to their daughters that the Christmas present that would make them the happiest would be a donation to ASAP. They had everything they needed and preferred giving to others. Whenever a bequest is suggested in someones name to the charity of your choice, they see another opportunity to give back to ASAP.
As they prepare for the holidays, Blanche looks forward to a family gathering at their Maine home. Although she no longer cooks the holiday meal, she and Henry provide the heart and the home to their close-knit family.
At 76, Blanches life has been a full one even if it has not been an easy one. Her own words about SM and Chiari sum it up best: Its not exactly fun, but it doesnt have to be the end of the world either!
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