I met Michael and Lisa by sheer happenstance, but it's been a blessing. A local nonprofit featured their situation- heartbreaking, impossible, and absolutely unfair; “Homeless with 7 months to live” was the headline that broke my heart and stopped my mindless Facebook scrolling. I didn't know them or what I could offer if anything but I felt I HAD to do something, even something small... so I just picked up the phone and dialed. Several hours later, after being instructed on where I could find the couple and having spoken briefly with Mike and Lisa to offer Chinese takeout, I drove to the hotel where they'd been put up.


I thought I'd be bringing dinner to a struggling couple whose nightmarish circumstances were beyond my comprehension, but something much different happened.


I met these two in the lobby and they invited to their room where I introduced myself and we began to talk. I was amazed with their faith and with the grace and poise with which they were handling things. I was blown away by their kindness, their humility, and their hospitality- even more so with their immense compassion. Here I was sitting in this room with two people who'd lost their lives- their jobs and their home and their friends- and who were facing an IMPOSSIBLY BLEAK reality yet they were so interested in me and my story and in my own struggles with illness far less than what Mike faces. I came to listen and to drop off a meal and instead, four hours later, after laughter and tears and talking and sharing and silence and sighing and staring... Michael and Lisa V. become more than strangers, and more than friends: they became family, and these to have since been and will always be so dear to my heart. It is my hope that this amazing community, which continues to demonstrate its ability to rally behind worthy causes and to demonstrate commitment to supporting and uplifting those most in need, would do what they can- anything and everything helps- to provide these two amazing humans with even a little bit of peace in this most challenging time.

Michael was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2010. Since that time Michael and his beautiful wife of 8 years, Lisa, spent their time together- living the most normal lives a couple could, even with the impending uncertainty for the prognosis of Mike's condition. The two lived together here in WA, working, going through life. They attended to Mike's health with positive attitudes, weary but filled with hope as each year passed. They thought they might even have a child and visited genetic counselors to discuss options. For all the planning and the setbacks and the questions they NEVER could have imagined being where they are now.They went about their days in their little apartment, enjoying each other's company and looking forward….until it got really bad.

First Mike became unable to work. Soon, Lisa would need to leave her job as well to help Mike make it to appointments and work with his doctors. Then they lost the Social Security income that was allowing them to stay afloat. Under the weight of Mike's illness- related unemployment and Lisa's having had to transition into the role of a full time caregiver for her husband, the two became homeless. In October of 2016 they would begin their "new life" in the Seattle streets.

Homelessness is hard enough for any human. With things like exposure to the elements, financial instability, lack of resources, loss of community, social isolation, severe loss of dignity, and loss of identify; it's a HARD place to be. Facing homelessness while also battling a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and especially after having been given "months" to live (which Mike has been told several times at different occasions based on the rapid progression of his symptoms) .... is unfathomable.

Since October, Mike and Lisa have resided in Tent City 5, a homeless encampment in the Interbay area managed by the SHARE/WHEEL organization. They are fortunate- and feel INCREDIBLY blessed to have any sort of shelter at all. But in truth this is no place for a terminally ill man or his devoted wife, who attends to him day in and day out- never leaving his side for more than a short while, even with the responsibilities the couple must carry out within the self- contained TC community in exchange for this shelter.

Mike is fortunate to have retained full coverage insurance and to thus have access to medical care, but it has been ridiculous to understand what this actually means for them:


As Mike progressively loses control of different functions and skills, he is sleeping outside and constantly exposed to a harsh environment that does little to support health and wellness. In the rain and in the snow and in the wind and when it has been freezing outdoors, he and Lisa are huddling together inside a tent, trying to keep the flaps down. Mike sleeps sometimes, restlessly at best and either way he is constantly in pain; Lisa, ever vigilant of her husband's condition, often stays awake to make sure Mike doesn't choke or stop breathing. They have many needs and accessing resources is challenging to say the least given their situation.

Mike's ability to get through days is highly dependent on his medications. But he is feeling disheartened with medicine. In the process of getting to see his doctors and to get his medications he often finds himself going from one doctor to the next; one ER to the next; one clinic to the next-just trying to receive care that is compassionate, capable, and considerate of his desire to live fully until he can't any more. He has had multiple experiences with providers who are not comfortable treating his late- stage diagnosis or who make him feel as if he's been "written off". With all of the medications he's taken over the years and all of the side effects and all of the changes he's experienced related to the ALS he has chosen to forgo many of his debilitating pain medications, wanting to be able to engage in his life to the best of his ability. Having also moved around a lot- being in hospice and in palliative care previously at times when the couple was told Mike "wouldn't last much longer" (only to have him make minimal improvements and end up leaving care once more)- Mike wants to live out the duration of his life with autonomy and to feel as capable and worthy as he can.

Standing on a cane that he's recently started using regularly to hold himself up, he tells me again that he WANTS TO WORK!...Unfortunately, in his condition it is unlikely that he will be able to find work- though he desperately WANTS to do something other than "Sitting around waiting to die"... this leaves the two questioning what options exist for them- if any.

The couple has had multiple visits by mobile medical teams to treat pneumonia, fevers, swelling, and sporadic vitals, among other things. They end up hopping buses at this point or walking (when they can) to get to doctor appointments or obtain needed supplies and often miss meetings when Mike isn't doing well or when the two can't come up with fare for the bus. They have no money for food and thus are limited to eating if and when the camp receives donated meals. They've been lifted up in hope or offered solutions or opportunities by different parties that have unfortunately fallen through....

They don't know what to do anymore.

Please do not let these beautiful, loving people continue to live their lives in this state. I pray that you will find it in your heart to help me lift these two up- however you are able. My mother and myself paid for hotel stays for Mike and Lisa in March and donated to THEMORELOVEPROJECT which initiated that hotel stay and originally publicized the couple's story. I have since continued to check in with these two- spending lunches and dinners and hours trying to think of ideas. We spent Easter together and have had many laughs and many cries and honestly it is just so hard for me to not know what else to do... this is why I am reaching out.

I have started this account in the hopes to gain funding for their needs, especially the following:

The biggest thing: HOUSING.

 I don't believe that anyone should live in the streets or in a tent because there are no other options. Sadly, MANY MANY people DO live in these environments, despite wanting/ needing desperately to be sheltered in the warmth of a home. Mike and Lisa face not only homelessness and all of the complexity that this reality involves but also the added burden and uncertainty of this difficult diagnosis. I believe that they deserve to find some peace in this time and that they should have a space that is their own where they can enjoy the time that they have together- not in another hospital room or nursing home or care unit- but together. That is their wish, and I am dedicated to doing what I can to support them in achieving this. 

The money from this fund will go directly towards a housing solution for Mike and Lisa. There are currently several service organizations that are assessing their capability in assisting with this dynamic. 

Additionally money will be used for:

-Bus passes or reliable transportation to and from healthcare appointments.

-Minutes/ data for their phone/ tablet so that the two can continue to be in contact with not only the doctors and healthcare professionals but also their family and friends.

-Food items- especially types that are easier for Mike to consume while also getting full nutritional benefits because he has difficulty swallowing.

-Covering Medication Copays

If you want to give in other ways:

-Networking- If you know of ANY programs that might help these two find housing or a set-up where Lisa could work with Mike close by, etc etc this would be AMAZING. Or if you are a professional (allied health, social services, etc) and wish to get in contact please email below or inquire about a phone number to reach them. They are WILLING to accept any support/ suggestions/ guidance etc.

-Support/ Encouragement - come say Hello, spend some time with the couple, write a letter or a card, bring dinner!

-Gift cards (Anything *useful*- feel free to contact me)

-*Inquire about other specific or more personal needs that you may be able to help them with*

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!! My heart has been deeply touched by knowing these two wonderful humans and I am blessed to be a part of their lives, and to have them in mine. Please know that anything and everything means something- this is not a situation that likely many of us think much about having to face and yet here these two are telling me THAT was their exact mentality.... until this became real. 

Mike and Lisa also wanted me to tell people that even KNOWING someone cares is HUGE for them: even knowing that there are people out there thinking about them and praying for them and sending their wishes is monumental and heart lifting.

Thank you,

Maya Swinehart

Please feel free to contact:

Email: [email protected]

or [email protected]

Phone: *please ask*

More information:

A campaign specific bank account has been set up and funding received from this campaign and any others will go directly there. I am SOLELY a friend of this couple. I do not have a professional or work relationship that obligates my participation whatsoever. I am not a blood relative, either. In the absence of mailing options, Mike and Lisa have requested that I receive mail at my address for them. I see the two regularly. Please inquire if you wish to send something or to give something to them directly, as they currently do not have a phone other than that of the camp, which may not be able to receive direct calls for them, per policy (the camp will take messages).

Other options: you can also reach out to THEMORELOVE PROJECT as they may still be able to take donations, but make sure to inquire about this as they may no longer be accepting funding specifically for THIS cause. If/ When donating with them, please specify *exactly* what you would like your funds to go towards (ie: “money for Mike and Lisa for housing only”) as they manage a number of campaigns and fundraisers for neighbors in need. Folluw up with them as well to ensure that it was received! Please kindly also be sure to ask that they let Michael and Lisa know of your contribution (anonymous or otherwise it means something special for them to know that community members care about them and are helping).