Friends gathering to aid Batavia stroke victim

Imagine being aware of what is going on around you, but struggling to take part, because you've been immobilized by a catastrophic stroke.

Now imagine knowing that you could be getting better, with help, if you only had the money to pay for therapy.

Friends and relatives of Mike Tecza hope to provide relief for the 49-year-old Batavia man. The landscaping contractor was incapacitated by a brainstem stroke in November.

They have organized a spaghetti supper fundraiser from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday in St. Charles to help pay for speech, occupational and physical therapy.

Tecza ran his own business, and had dropped its health insurance due to cost. He was denied individual health insurance, due to a pre-existing medical condition, according to his sister, Laura Glasenapp of Belvidere.

The stroke almost completely paralyzed him. He breathes through a trachea tube and was, until recently, fed through another tube. But his intellect and personality were left intact, Glasenapp said. He's been able to communicate, at first with only with eye movements. He now has a special valve on his tracheotomy and is starting to say words.

"He knows where he is, who he is. He still beats us in trivia," Glasenapp said. Until his application for Medicaid government insurance is approved, Tecza's family and friends are paying for occupational, physical and speech therapy.

He's been undergoing therapy for a few weeks, and can now move his left hand, arm and foot. He can also swallow, which allows him to eat pureed food and drink thickened liquids.

"He is showing great potential. He has the will and motivation to fight back," said Glasenapp.

The fundraiser is at the Moose Family Center, 2250 W. Route 38, west of Randall Road.

Tickets are $7 a person for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12. There will be a cash bar, and 50-50 and prize raffles.

Those who can't attend, but wish to make a donation, can send a check to Seeds of Strength, in care of Union Savings Bank, 1320 N. State St., Belvidere, IL 61008. To donate by credit card, visit giveforward.org/seedsofstrength.

"What he is receiving in therapy, he's just running with it," Glasenapp said. "Spring is coming, and he wants to be out working."