ALS Becky Harper Machiele Hope for Care
Donation protected
The Harper family in 5 generations has lost 33 family members to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Those nerve cells reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body and when those nerve cells die, the brain is no longer able to control the muscles. A person loses their ability to walk or stand, to write, to feed, or bathe themselves, to brush their teeth, comb their hair, to shave their own face or legs, or even to laugh. And eventually, they are not able to swallow, speak and then finally breathe on their own.
The entire time this disease is killing one's body, it leaves the ability of the eyes to blink and the mind's ability to think and reason intact; leaving a person in solitary confinement in their own body.
We have lost our great, great-grandmother, great-grandmothers, great-grandfathers, great-grand uncles and aunts, grandmothers and grandfathers, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters to this disease. All of them 23 to 52 years of age.
Research scientists have discovered that our family has a genetic mutation on the SOD1 gene, and that deformed gene allows for the most aggressive progression of this disease; from the onset of symptoms, at best those affected live 15 months, maybe 465 days.
And now, our dear wife, step-mother, daughter, and sister Becky, who is only 44, faces the same premature leave from her loved ones and life here, soon to be welcomed home by her family and Father in Heaven.
Becky has already lost the ability to stand or walk, and is quickly losing her ability to move her arms and hands. She is now wearing a bi-pap breathing assistance machine and is requiring around-the-clock care. Becky's devoted husband, Randy, her step-son, Zach, and her birth and in-law families want to give her the best quality of life possible as she prepares for her journey Home. Because this is a fatal disease with no standard of care or treatment for recovery, medical insurance companies have not had to fully address the the costs of providing durable medical equipment or nursing care, whether in-facility or in-home. In order for us to provide Becky the comfort and peace of spirit she deserves before going on, we need your help with medical, in-home care and final expenses, some of which are not paid by their medical insurance.
Our families appreciate your support; prayers, donations and care. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love offered to Becky and our families, our hearts reach out in return.
Be Blessed,
The Harper and Machiele families
The entire time this disease is killing one's body, it leaves the ability of the eyes to blink and the mind's ability to think and reason intact; leaving a person in solitary confinement in their own body.
We have lost our great, great-grandmother, great-grandmothers, great-grandfathers, great-grand uncles and aunts, grandmothers and grandfathers, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters to this disease. All of them 23 to 52 years of age.
Research scientists have discovered that our family has a genetic mutation on the SOD1 gene, and that deformed gene allows for the most aggressive progression of this disease; from the onset of symptoms, at best those affected live 15 months, maybe 465 days.
And now, our dear wife, step-mother, daughter, and sister Becky, who is only 44, faces the same premature leave from her loved ones and life here, soon to be welcomed home by her family and Father in Heaven.
Becky has already lost the ability to stand or walk, and is quickly losing her ability to move her arms and hands. She is now wearing a bi-pap breathing assistance machine and is requiring around-the-clock care. Becky's devoted husband, Randy, her step-son, Zach, and her birth and in-law families want to give her the best quality of life possible as she prepares for her journey Home. Because this is a fatal disease with no standard of care or treatment for recovery, medical insurance companies have not had to fully address the the costs of providing durable medical equipment or nursing care, whether in-facility or in-home. In order for us to provide Becky the comfort and peace of spirit she deserves before going on, we need your help with medical, in-home care and final expenses, some of which are not paid by their medical insurance.
Our families appreciate your support; prayers, donations and care. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love offered to Becky and our families, our hearts reach out in return.
Be Blessed,
The Harper and Machiele families
Organizer
Helen Harper Ammer
Organizer
Kalamazoo, MI
