Hi Everyone,

Its hard to believe that a year has already past, but May 12th will mark one
year since my brother Cailean ended his life after struggling with
neurological problems. Earlier this month friends and family helped to
raise over $2500 for Neurological Lyme Disease research.

I’ve been trying to figure out something special that I could do during the
week of May 12th. Partners Healthcare, my employer, is a sponser of the
NAMI Walks for the Mind of America on May 14th in Brighton,MA. They raise
money for mental health awareness and research.

I have started a team called “Walking for Cailean Walker” and welcome anyone
to come walk in memory of Cailean. If you can’t make it and can afford to
make a donation that would be great. To join the team or make donations you
can click on the link below.

http://www.nami.org/namiwalks05/MAS/caileanwalker

Hopefully the sun will be shining, but regardless it will be nice day to
remember Cailean.

Thanks, Mariel

We were pleased to mail off a check for $2, 960.75 to Dr. Fallon at the N.Y. Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Medical Center last week. The check represented part of the ticket proceeds from the Heart and Soul Talent Show as well as donations received for the “Sharing Sheeran” CD. (Since then we have received additional money which brings the current total to well over $3000). The money is to be used for Neuro-Lyme research in memory of Cailean. Thank you all for helping us to do this! Maureen

On Saturday evening, April 2, (despite torrential rains, wind, floods, etc) family and friends made it to the Garrison School for the Heart and Soul Talent Show which was dedicated to Cailean Walker Sheeran. We deeply thank all those who made the difficult trip (and all those who had the best intentions of being there).

We also want to express our gratitude to all the participants who gave up more than a few evenings (including weekends) for rehearsals etc. Thanks to teachers Gina, Robin, Karen, Marilena, Faith, Tiffany, and Amy for their background singing on “Yellow”, and/or sitting out in the cold, selling tickets the previous weekend, and/or working in the school lobby that night. Dick, Randy, and Jeff were instrumental in setting up the gym and doing countless other tasks. Thanks to Gloria Colucci for her interest and introduction and to Stephanie Impellittiere for her kind words about Cailean. We express appreciation to Marge Travis who prepared a beautiful basket of yellow flowers and to Mary Foppiano who presented us with a wondrous bouquet of yellow roses on behalf of the Garrison staff. Words can not express how deeply we were touched. Diane Travis also came to the rescue with some last minute preparations.

All the students who performed were so talented and worked so hard. Particular thanks to Cailean’s good friend, Christina, who came home from school in Albany to play the flute so well on “Yellow”. We also want to express our appreciation to Richie Rose, with whom Cailean played guitar, for his outstanding performance on Saturday (people are still talking about how wonderful he was). In some way, he was the musical link and truly represented Cailean at the show.

“Sharing Sheeran”, the CD which was available for a donation of any amount seemed to be a big hit. We received over $800 that evening and orders are still pouring in. All proceeds will be sent to Dr. Fallon to be used for Neuro-Lyme research. Special thanks to Alex, Cathy, and Woody who spent a good amount of time burning the CD to help us out.

Finally, thanks to Patty Scecina, her committee heads, and all the volunteers for their hard work which made the show the success it was.

Patty’s idea of dedicating the show and the song “Yellow” gave our family memories we will treasure forever. She dedicated many hours to directing the show and perfecting her singing and keyboard playing on “Yellow”. We are quite sure that Cailean was looking down and was appreciative of all who participated, helped or attended. He lives on in all of our hearts and souls.

As always, thanks for your continued love and support. Maureen

This is the cd that everyone worked very hard to put together. We gave them out to anyone who made a donation to Neurological Lyme Disease. If you would like to get a copy of the cd too you can email me at mariel@slowburn.net

SHARING SHEERAN
Thanks to Alex, Charlie, Daniel, Ryan, and Woody who originated the idea of compiling a compact disc of Cailean?s original music and songs he loved. They worked very hard on selecting and recording just the right songs and title for the project; ?SHARING SHEERAN? is the terrific result. Listening to this CD will be a wonderful way to preserve and honor Cailean?s musical talent. Thanks, also, to Brittany and Mariel for their work on the cover layout/design.Cailean Walker Sheeran embraced life, family and friends until Neurological Lyme Disease shattered his spirit. All proceeds from donations received will be sent to Dr. Brian Fallon at the N.Y. Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Medical Center to be used for research for the diagnosis and treatment of ?Neuro-Lyme?.
If you would like to read or write about our wonderful son and brother, please visit www.mariel.slowburn.net/cailean/
Please refer to http://www.lymeinfo.net/neuropsych.html
for additional information/links on Neurological Lyme Disease

I came across this assignment Cailean had done in the Fall of 2003..

Cailean Sheeran November 5, 2003
Little did I know that a gift I received on December 25, 1999 would change my world. I had requested a guitar for Christmas that year and was very excited to finally have the Yamaha Gigmaker model in my hands. Even though I did not know how to play a note, let alone a chord, it was a tremendous feeling.

Lessons soon followed. My first guitar teacher was from Wales and introduced me to the blues. That was a style of music that I really had never appreciated before. It turned out to be a great approach to the world of music. We soon progressed to jazz. I was really surprised to discover how these two styles had influenced the rock music that I listened to all the time. I still continue to appreciate and listen to all types of music. This has opened my eyes and ears to many cultures.

My first public performance was at my Eighth Grade Graduation. I went to a small school that had a ceremony that included selections from all the graduates. “Dark Eyes”, a gypsy song, was the first tune that I played. Then, a drummer and I played together on a song that I wrote myself – “Untitled”. There was a lot of applause at the end of each song. Many people told me that my music was the highlight of the ceremony and that I had a lot of talent.

Recently, I have played at some “Open Mike” nights at a local coffee house. At first I was very nervous but I feel more confident now. I actually sang two songs at my last performance and would like to take some voice lessons. When I perform in front of a small audience it makes me feel that I have achieved my goal. Recent purchases of a Taylor guitar and a high technology amplifier should improve the sound of my music, too.

Music has enlarged my world. I constantly listen to all types and instruments. Playing a compact disc that I have recorded of my own music is very rewarding. I hope that my love for playing the guitar will continue. It’s a wonderful experience that has enriched me a great deal.

This is an insert that our family prepared for the talent show program. It was written to honor Cailean and inform people about Neurological Lyme Disease.

HEART AND SOUL TALENT SHOW
APRIL 2, 2005

Cailean Walker Sheeran embraced life, family and friends with his Heart and Soul until Neurological Lyme Disease shattered his spirit. Thank you for sharing in this evening dedicated to his treasured memory.

Thanks to a wonderful friend, Patty Scecina, for
dedicating this concert and the song ?Yellow? to
Cailean. Our hearts and souls are touched by all of her efforts, as well as those of all the students and adults who contributed so much time and work to this show.

We would like to take this opportunity to express
appreciation to Alex, Charlie, Daniel, Ryan, and Woody who originated the idea of compiling a compact disc of Cailean?s original music and songs he loved. They worked very hard on this project; ?Sharing Sheeran? is the terrific result. Listening to this CD will be a wonderful way to preserve and honor Cailean?s musical talent. Proceeds from donations received will be sent to Dr. Brian Fallon at the N.Y. Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Medical Center to be used for research for the diagnosis and treatment of ?Neuro-Lyme?.

If you would like to read or write about our wonderful son and brother, please visit
www.mariel.slowburn.net/cailean/

NEUROLOGICAL LYME DISEASE

Soon after Cailean died we stated that, when time and emotions would allow, we would commit ourselves to spreading public awareness of a most serious, but relatively unknown illness, Neurological Lyme Disease.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, most individuals with Lyme disease respond well to antibiotics and have full recovery. In a few patients symptoms of persisting infection may continue or recur. Varying degrees of permanent joint or nervous system damage may develop in patients with
late chronic Lyme disease. ?Neuro-Lyme? disease can result in devastating psychological implications. Dr. Fallon?s research on Chronic Lyme has shown that while short term (three to ten week) IV antibiotic treatment will initially help these patients, neural indicators usually relapse within three months. (He is planning on releasing the results of the main portion of his research in September 2005.) In rare cases, some individuals may die from Lyme disease and its
complications. We hope that scientific studies will
eventually result in a successful treatment program so that no other child and family will suffer the consequences of this horrific illness.

Please refer to

http://www.lymeinfo.net/neuropsych.html

for additional information/links.