Get to Know Bo & McKenzie

Bo is an ALS Warrior, battling a disease with no cure and a rather grim progression.

McKenzie is his daughter, the Sole Caretaker of Bo, and is rapidly becoming a fierce advocate for ALS Research, causes, and education.

Together, Bo and McKenzie welcome you to Bo's Dugout, and are thankful that you want to help us strike ALS out one inning at a time.

Bo was born in Northern Kentucky, where he grew up with four siblings, his parents, and his maternal Grandmother. Bo attended Catholic Schools from Kindergarten through his Senior Year of high school (Go Big Colonels!) before taking a few years off from education. Once Bo decided to go back to school, he was all set to attend EKU before a friend of his asked if he wanted to share a house in Lexington, causing Bo to transfer to the University of Kentucky and become a lifelong, passionate Wildcat fan. Eight days after Bo completed his college education, he received his draft notice for Vietnam and shipped out a month later for Boot Camp. Bo served in Cu Chi, and shares stories occasionally about his time in Vietnam and his brief respite in Australia.

Once Bo returned home to Northern Kentucky, he settled into working and spending time with his family and friends. On a fateful February evening in the early 1970s, Bo went to a bar known as The Hut with his best friend, where he met his future wife, Tootie, and began to date her. Bo and Tootie were married in July of 1973, welcomed their oldest child, Chris, in 1974, and then had their surprise baby, McKenzie, in 1987.

The four of them share many treasured memories of road trips to Cedar Point, family Halloween costumes, and holidays together. In 1993 Chris followed in Bo's footsteps and began his freshman year at University of Kentucky, while McKenzie began First Grade.

In January of 1992 Bo was laid off from his position in Cincinnati and began an arduous job hunt that eventually moved Tootie, McKenzie and him to Minnesota while Chris remained in Kentucky. In the almost 25 years Bo, Tootie, and McKenzie lived in Minnesota, they made several lifelong friendships and got to explore places like New Castle, Wyoming, Mount Rushmore, the headwaters of the Mississippi, Door County, Thunder Bay, Canada, and many other places, though Bo and Tootie's' hearts always remained in Kentucky especially since Chris married the love his life Jenna in 2003, and they welcomed three children, commonly referred to as The Three C's.

Bo and Tootie moved back to Northern Kentucky in July 2015, leaving McKenzie in Minnesota, to reconnect with friends in the area and spend time with them as well as their family, and particularly their Grandchildren!

McKenzie followed in 2019 shortly before Tootie needed major surgery, and the 8 family members enjoyed several years together sharing as much time as everyone's busy schedules allowed.

In the Spring of 2023, Bo started to notice he was losing weight at a rapid pace without no apparent cause, and he was struggling to feel like he was getting enough air, even though every pulse ox said his oxygen saturation was high. Bo began trying to eat more, seeking out medical professionals (he often jokes he sought out every "-ist "specialization except a podiatrist), and relying on Tootie and McKenzie to attend to tasks he had always preferred to tackle himself. The family rallied around him, coming up with goals and plans to support Bo gaining weight and finding a way back to feeling like himself again.

In June 2024, Bo was admitted to the hospital for some concerning bloodwork, and while there, he had several vials of blood taken that were sent off for several different tests to try and determine the root cause of Bo's symptoms- rapid, unexplained weight loss, difficulty catching his breath, lethargy, and a general unexplained weakness. Bo was sent home with no answers but the promise of results as tests were completed.

On July 2nd, 2024, Tootie passed away very suddenly, which, of course, had a direct impact on Bo's health. The morning after Tootie's burial, Bo received a phone call stating that the Neurologist who received his test results believed he had a rare disease called Lamber Eaton, but would need more testing. Bo looked at McKenzie after receiving the news and said, "Well, this is a revolting development.". Four days later, Bo was again admitted to the hospital, and during that stay a correlation between Bo's ability to gain weight and receiving supplemental oxygen was made. Upon release, he saw his Pulmonologist (I told you there were a lot of "-ist" Doctors involved), who got Bo set up with oxygen at home and an incredible Respiratory Therapist.

Bo, Chris, and McKenzie went to River Hills Neurology for a shock test, expecting confirmation of Lambert Eaton, but Bo's Neurologist stated that he needed to confer with colleagues regarding the test results, and an appointment was scheduled for August 8th, a month to the day after the family had buried Tootie.

On August 8th, 2024, Bo, Chris, and McKenzie again went to River Hills, where the Neurologist told the family, still reeling from losing Tootie, that he was pretty certain Bo had ALS, and had referred Bo to a Neurologist at University of Cincinnati who specialized in ALS.

On August 13th, 2024, Bo was officially diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.