Medical mobility needs and house accessibility

In August 2018, our family member Matt Smith was diagnosed with ALS. 

“Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord,” The ALS Association.

A little over 5,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. As many as 30,000 Americans are estimated to have the disease at any given time with 90% of cases having no clear history or reason for its development. 

The financial cost to families of persons with ALS is wildly high, costing an average of $200,000 a year as the disease progresses to more advanced stages. ALS requires multidisciplinary care and treatment and much equipment and services are necessary to ensure every person with ALS is able to live a full life every day. 

Throughout the last three years Matt’s progression has continued causing limited mobility in his legs and arms. We have sought the use of supportive medical equipment such as a power wheelchair and the Tobbi Eye Gaze System to maintain his independence in daily living. A husband and father of two young children, finding ways to join outings and family group activities is important to all of the family’s health and wellbeing. We are seeking to make this possible through handicap accessible transportation and we are reaching out to you for help. 

This is the link to a GoFundMe account to assist Matt’s family in fundraising the purchase of a handicap accessible van.

Matt is a valued member of the Carol Stream and Glenbard North communities and we are so grateful to all of the support we have received thus far. This year and last has been hard for many communities and families outside of our own and we stand with you all in love and compassion. Thank you for continuing to show up for our family.