By Mike Weland
I’m not sure what happened. The whole community was wrought with concern and angst when Mikey Bjoraker was hit by a car as he crossed Highway 95 two nights before Thanksgiving. His friends and his neighbors begged to know how he was doing — forgiving him years of early morning unannounced and uninvited wakes ups.
“Mikey, you’re supposed to knock.”
“I know, but you were asleep! (Insert Name Here) wanted me to make sure you’re okay …”
“I’m okay, Mikey.”
“Yeah, I know … I just had to make sure. (Insert Name Here) loves you too much and asked me to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m okay …”
“Well, my ride’s here! I gotta go!”
In the five years I was Mikey’s neighbor, he was by turns the most maddening, infuriating … funny …. caring … happiest …best neighbor evar.
Like most in his sphere on the South Hill in Bonners Ferry, 90 percent of the neighbors I met and came to know I met because of and thanks to Mikey Bjoraker.
When he was hurt, I was hurt. And all I could do is share word … I couldn’t go see him. And then came the admonition:
“I am reaching out on behalf of Mikey’s family, who have asked me to communicate with the community during this challenging time. The Bjoraker family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love and support they have received from so many.
“Throughout this difficult period, there have been several inaccurate and contradictory statements shared on Facebook regarding Mikey’s condition. Out of respect for Mikey and his family, they kindly ask that everyone refrain from posting updates about his condition. Any official updates will come directly from Mikey’s family.”
Except they didn’t. Only silence. Questions ignored.
And then, having been told Mikey was dire, in a coma, on the brink of his demise, I talked to Mikey.
He said nothing about who was bickering over him. He said he was coming home. He said the person at his side, helping him, was the woman who believed in him after he lost his mom at age 19. The woman who gave him a chance.
Dave Kramer and Special Olympics taught Mikey the value of hard work, of giving all you have, then reaching deep for that little bit more that makes a champion.
Giving him the chance to show he had more to give than anyone thought possible, Connie Mieryteran, Alberto’s Restaurant, instilled in Mikey a work ethic, and the strength and bravery to know the concept of carpe diem, seize the day. If you want to know the best businesses on the South Side, just look for those that “employ” Mikey. That’s just about all of them.
I did my best to abide the plea on behalf of Mikey’s family, to refrain from posting. But Mikey wanted his Bonners Ferry friends and family to know how he was, how he was doing. I obliged.
Now Mikey’s back in Bonners Ferry, and hopefully he’ll be going home soon. Having gone through a significant trauma, he will have changes in how and what he can do, and there are tools he will need to compensate for lost range of motion or movement. Those tools are not cheap.
9B.News established a GoFundMe account to help provide those tools, and to provide those things he loves; a cold Dr. Pepper on a hot day, a part for his bicycle.
I have been criticized by various people, worried the fund will adversely affect his finances, which I know nothing about. It shouldn’t — it is a charitable fund that will benefit Mikey by providing for him things he would not have needed had the accident not occurred. It is a gift from a caring community.
I understand there are those who question why I chose Connie Mieryteran to administer the fund. That one is simple. When I reached out when Mikey was in the hospital, it was Connie who answered. When Mikey called, Connie was there. Now that he’s out of the hospital, he’s staying with Connie and Dave. She and Dave are driving him to his many doctor’s appointments and buying the him rehab equipment he needs. While many talk, Connie and Dave are doing.
Mikey loves and trusts Connie, I have full faith Connie will see that Mikey will get the full value of every donation.
When Mikey was hurt and in the hospital, hundreds expressed their love and well wishes and the community clamored to know how he was doing. It is incongruous that in the more than two weeks the account has been up only two people, me being one, have donated.
Mikey has given so much to this community in so many ways … if you don’t want to consider a donation, how about payment for the smiles and waves and joy he’s given the people of Bonners Ferry his whole life? There may be those who would say he’s set, he doesn’t need more, I counter he may have had enough for what he needed before his was hit by the car, but those aren’t injuries you just walk away from. There will be needs and expenses.
Please give what you can, “Let’s show Mikey how much he’s loved.”
Those who’d prefer can mail checks and donations, payable to Connie Mieryteran with Mikey’s loved in the memo line, to Mikey’s Loved, c/o 9B.News, 6619 Kaniksu St. Rm 19, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805