Jon Llewellyn with wife KaraLlewellyn, 47, has been diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia, which is characterized by rapid progressive brain atrophy. According to the Llewellyn GoFundMe.com page, "FTD causes dramatic changes in personality, continual decline in behavior and/or language; becoming socially inappropriate, impulsive, and emotionally indifferent (with memory usually relatively preserved). As the disease progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for people to plan or organize activities, interact with others, and care for oneself. There is no known cure for FTD and doctors can only focus on easing the symptoms. The disease inevitably gets worse and eventually patients require 24-hour care. Caregivers need assistance from family members, friends, community, and support groups."
Originally from Illinois, Jon Llewellyn has a family now living in suburban Toledo: wife Kara, and four children -- Killian (24), pursuing a medical degree; Kaitlin (22), enrolled in a Physician's Assistant program; Kadin (19), currently enrolled at Ohio State, and Kimber (17), a Perrysburg High School senior who will be attending Ohio State this fall.
The GoFundMe.com page, created Thursday, describes the situation now faced by Jon Llewellyn and his family.
"After supporting his family for years, Jon has lost his job and is now unable to work," according to the fundraising website. "He has also had to surrender his driver's license and is increasingly reliant on Kara and others for support. Although Kara has always worked, while raising their children, her employment has been part-time. Jon has applied for social security disability benefits but because he is so young, he's not likely to receive approval anytime soon. Jon is unable to work and his condition is worsening. Kara is seeking full-time employment. The entire family is in desperate need of your prayers and any assistance you can provide."
Jon Llewellyn was a one-time Illinois state championships qualifier at Hinsdale Central High School outside Chicago. He then headed south to Champaign-Urbana, where he wrestled for the University of Illinois while earning a Master's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering. He became the program's first three-time NCAA All-American, placing third at 275 pounds in 1989 (losing to eventual champ Carlton Haselrig of Pitt-Johnstown in the semifinals) and 1990 (falling to David Jones of CSU-Fullerton in the quarterfinals). In 1991, Llewellyn won the heavyweight title by defeating defending champ (and future Olympic gold medalist and pro wrestler) Kurt Angle of Clarion, 6-3, in the finals. That made Llewellyn the first Fighting Illini NCAA champ since Robert Norman who won heavyweight titles in 1957 and 1958.
Llewellyn's other on-the-mat accomplishments at Illinois included winning three straight Big Ten heavyweight titles (1989-91), and beating Kurt Angle at the 1990 All-Star Classic. He also placed third at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials in 1992 and 1996.
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