First Angel Bus Mission Provides Hopeful Ride for Boy with Epilepsy
Jackie, with “killer dog” Misse, Stanley and Mike take a break for a photo op.
The wheels on Mike and Jackie’s rig turned very early the morning of July 19 as the couple headed to Charlestown, Indiana, to pick up Stanley, the first Angel Bus patient to get a ride in a motor coach since the nonprofit organization was reinstated by Mercy Medical Airlift. Mike Miller is a volunteer driver who calls Livingston, Texas, home base. They were in Kentucky visiting Mike’s mother.
The two rose at 4:00 a.m. and drove to Charlestown in their luxurious 40-foot Mountain Aire. Stanley, a 15-year-old boy who suffers from epilepsy, and his mom, Karolee, got on board, with Stanley sitting up front as Mike’s “co-pilot.”
Their destination was Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center there is one of the nation’s leading facilities. Stanley was scheduled to undergo tests to determine whether or not he would be a good candidate for surgery. Besides taking anti-seizure medication, he also has a vagus nerve stimulator that was implanted surgically in 2008. “It’s supposed to cut back on seizures, but Stanley has been having difficulties,” Karolee said. She hopes he’ll be able to have the surgery, which repairs the part of the brain from which his seizures originate. “They’re having a lot of success at Cincinnati,” she added.
Mike said that on the trip, he learned Stanley is “a history buff. He was looking around, asking questions, commenting on the old, historic homes and buildings in Cincinnati.”
A rocket scientist who retired from Lockheed Martin after 33 years, Mike said he’d always traveled in his work. “I was at the company’s beck and call. Now I can travel at my own pace.”
He and Jackie spend winters in Apache Junction, Arizona, and travel the rest of the year in their motor coach. “We spend a week or so in each place.” Mike learned about Angel Bus through the Family Motor Coach Association. “Jackie and I had been looking for something to do to give back.” Angel Bus filled the bill.
Karolee is a stay-at-home mom with two older, grown daughters. She said the three-hour trip went smoothly. “Jim Smith [Angel Bus executive director] had everything set up. We had a wonderful time. It was nice and comfortable.”
Stanley attends a private school in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and is in the tenth grade. “He loves anything to do with mechanics,” Karolee said. “He likes to draw and he loves dogs. We have a dog named Lola. She can pick up on Stanley’s seizures. She alerts me if something’s going on with him. She taps on my bed with her paw until she wakes me.”
While her son was being tested, Karolee stayed in a Ronald McDonald House, and Mike and Jackie went to Columbus, Ohio, to visit friends. At the end of the week, they picked up mother and son and returned them safely home.”
Stanley’s gift to Mike and Jackie touched them both deeply.
Before saying goodbye, Stanley gave Mike and Jackie a gift he bought at the hospital. “He just about made me and Jackie cry when he gave it to us,” Mike said.
12 Responses to “First Angel Bus Mission Provides Hopeful Ride for Boy with Epilepsy”
August 4th, 2010 at 8:36 am
Mike, Jackie,
Thank you so much for your service to families in need.
August 4th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
What an appropriate example of one of the basic commandments of life, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Thanks Mike ,Jackie and Jim
August 4th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Stanley is my great nephew. He is a very special young man. We can’t thank you enough for transporting him to Cincinnati. He had a great time in the RV. God will surely bless the couple who took him and brought him back home.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Jackie and Mike
Stan is my great nephew and he was so excited about riding in the motor home and getting to be the “Co-Polit”.
I just want to THANK YOU ALL very much for doing this for Stan.
You all are truly ANGELS.
May God bless you both.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Mike and Jackie, My name is Cherlyn Harrison. I’m Stanleys aunt and Karolees identical twin sister. I wanted to say congratulations on the recognition of your First Angel Bus Mission. I also wanted to say thank you for everything you did to provide Stanley and Karolee with a safe and enjoyable journey to Cincinnati. What you guys are trying to do for others is absolutely wonderful. Our family will forever be greatful to the two of you.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I would like to thank Jim Smith, Volunteer drivers Mike and Jackie for all your kindness and assistance for making this trip possible for stanley and his family. Also I want to Thank suzanne rhoads for publishing stans story on the internet. This trip will always hold a special memory in our hearts. Thanks again, Stanley and Karolee.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Thank you Mike & Jackie and the Angel Bus Mission. I have always said that GOD puts angels among us just when we need them. May GOD Bless you all. I know that as long as we keep our faith in GOD and what He can do as long as we pray and ask miracles do happen. Thanks again Angels.
August 5th, 2010 at 1:58 am
Great picture Stanley! Mike & Jackie sound like some pretty special people….
August 6th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Stan, you look great on the website and thanks to Mike and Jackie for making the trip a special one for Stan.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:15 am
hi mike & jackie wonderful work you guys are doing. i learned about your ministry through your mother mrs. miller she gave me a copy of this information and i looked it up on the computer. i do meal on wheels and that is a great ministry to me. thank you so much for helping people. anne strong Livermore Ky.
September 26th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
It was great to read the story of the first Mission of “Angle Bus”,
Stanley was the first with Mike and Jackie’s help to have a helping hand by our membership. Giving that hand in the future will be done many more times. To witnesss the satisfaction through this story and the smile on Stanleys face makes this priceless. This why I joined in, to give that helping hand
A Charter Member of Angle Bus
October 1st, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I was so excited about Angel Bus from the first I heard of it. Have long been involved with Angel Flight and am with Air Compassion America. The stories of those helped and those who volunteer always delight me. Thanks to all. I will forward this to friends to aquaint them with Angel Bus.
Mary Ann Chisnell, Virginia Beach, Va.