Brian's Inspiration for Running

My grandmother Yolanda (“Yo” as I called her) and her sister Clara helped raise me. They were born in Omaha before women could vote and grew up in a house overlooking Leavenworth Park on South 35th Street. Yo raised my mom there, and Clara bought a house down the street. Much of my childhood was spent running between their houses and taking the bus all over town with Yo and Clara.

Shortly after her 80th birthday, Clara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Yo cared for her, but when that became too much, they moved in with me and my mom.

Eventually, Clara lost the ability to walk, eat, and even talk. Her body was strong, but the disease was relentless. We learned then there are too few elder care options in Douglas County. I watched my mother call everywhere in Omaha trying to find adequate care for the woman who helped raise us both. Only the Douglas County Health Center could give Clara the care she needed.

I spent countless hours there with Clara, and I was with her when she passed away. A few years later, Yolanda suffered a debilitating stroke, and the DCHC staff cared for her until she entered hospice. In 2020, my wife and I named our new daughter Clara to honor these women who gave me so much.

The two questions I get asked the most are “What does the County Board do?” and “Why are you running?” Yo and Clara are a big part of my answer to both. 

The hard truth is we don’t have enough elder care or memory loss care in Nebraska. And we certainly don’t have enough mental health care. Douglas County is the only option for many, just like for us. 

I’m running because I believe that we have to work hard to protect these services. That means budgeting carefully and fighting runaway costs. And that means never ever losing sight of the very real human costs of the Board’s decisions. I’ve experienced those costs—through life and death—and I promise I will do everything I can on the Board to protect these services. For Yo. For Clara. For you and your family.