I was in communication with Mike via iPad last weekend. One suggestion is for friends to include iTunes gift cards in their letters and cards. He could use the gift cards to purchase and download music and material (books and magazines ) to read on his iPad.

My husband, Art, and I just returned from Michigan, where this afternoon we spent two hours with Mike Annis.

Due to the effects of ALS Mike can no longer speak. He can still hold a pencil and prints responses and questions on notebook pads when not using an iPad. He uses a walker to get around. His movement is slow, but he appeared surprisingly strong. He has great difficulty swallowing and can take only limited amounts of liquids. Consequently, he is very thin.

Mike's mind is keen and he seemed very happy to have received cards and email messages from dealers and friends in the numismatic community in recent days. He has not lost his sense of humor and still has a positive attitude.

He is the only ALS patient in the facility and it is clear that he would be better served in perhaps another type of environment. A decision will be made this week regarding relocating to another facility.

Please take a moment this week to send him an email or card. Knowing someone is thinking of him means a great deal to Mike.