Don's ALS Foundation

Hello All!!

My dad (Don) was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in November of 2016 after months of testing, waiting, a misdiagnosis and a second opinion. ALS is a progressive motor neuron disease that is always fatal. The course and speed of progression is unpredictable  and individual to each person. Don is unable to return to work and was 4 short years away from retiring. 

Since his diagnosis my dad has almost lost his speech entirely. It takes him several minutes to swallow and he often chokes on food/drinks. He now has a feeding tube which he uses twice a day (still eating solid food in addition). His breathing is about 37% when laying down. He experiences muscle spasms in his arms....mostly left side...and it has become hard for him to use his hands for fine motor skills such as opening a zip lock baggie, etc. My dad says he never realized how much he would miss talking, as he has always been the story teller, the guy who knew no stranger and the one to keep the conversation going. I miss his voice. All the love and support we have received has been extremely healing...my dad and mom are both at peace with their new normal and are enjoying and living life to the fullest!

Thanks for your love, support, thoughts and prayers through our journey.

Jess