Posted 6/22/01 Benefit dance for Dean Johnson family Saturday By MaryHelen Swanson Dean Johnson, a young farmer in Rushseba Township, has been living with the debilitating disease diabetes for 33 years. Heís lost both hands at the wrist, and both legs above the knee. He had a kidney transplant about 14 years ago that is slowly losing function and he was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, the treatment of which left him with heart damage. Because he retains fluid he has developed pressure sores from wearing the prosthesis for his arms. And this week, Dean is once again spending his days at Abbot Northwestern Hospital possibly facing another surgical procedure. Yet, as he faces struggles that could destroy the toughest man, Johnson fights for his life with a determination that amazes everyone, especially his doctors who marvel at how he faces it all with such acceptance. Itís been a year since he last spent time a tractor and thatís what he really loves to do. So, his wife said, Deanís goal is set - to get healed, get fitted for a walking device and get back on a tractor. Since June of 2000 Johnson has had 15 surgeries/procedures with hospital stays from six days to six weeks. Johnsonís cancer is in remission, but his heart damage is causing new troubles and he has major infections in his legs due to vascular disease that has developed, in spite of the fact he has his diabetes under control. Struggling through the years with his disease, Johnsonís has had the support of his wife, Diane, and 17-year-old son, Jason, his parents, Doris and Bill Johnson, other relatives, friends and acquaintances. Diane, due to her commitment to her family, has had to quit one of her two jobs. She remains working for the St. Francis School district which, now that the school year is over, is allowing her to work three days a week at summer school to help make up for the job loss. Meals are often provided by family and friends. Jason works as much as he can at Bohatyís Hardware in Rush City, where well-wishers often ask about his Dadís health, and he takes care of the familyís sheep. Deanís father helps with the cows, his mother makes him meals during the day, and Dianeís mom helps with the housecleaning. Family and friends drop off food and, Diane said earlier this week, she knows many have been praying for the family for many years. And the prayers and the love and the support of the community for the past 15 years has been much appreciated. Last fall the folks at St. Francis asked how they could help. Diane said her house needed painting, so they were going to raise money for the job. But then someone said, why paint it, youíll have to do it all over again in three years. So it was decided they would raise money to re-side the Johnson home and there would be no more painting. This Saturday, June 23, the Rush City Jaycees are hosting a benefit dance for the Johnson family at 7 p.m. at the VFW in Rush City. Diane said insurance covers most medical costs, but there are other costs that continue to mount. Some of the funds raised this weekend will help toward the house re-siding project, too. If anyone would like to make a donation to the family, but cannot make the dance, call Jaycee representative Mike Houtari at 320-629-7062. ©Post Review