Paula Magoun Speaks!
Donation protected
In October of 2011, the Magoun family was struck with some devastating news. Paula Ann Magoun, age 52, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.
As the months progressed, Paula's condition became worse and worse eventually leading to the inability to speak or communicate with her daughters, husband and son. Now, in February 2014, she is completely disabled and solely relies on her two daughters, Courtney & Brittany for full care giving. Courtney is a full time ICU nurse and currently lives at home with Paula in their residential home in Spring, TX. Paula's husband, Tim Magoun and son, Ian Magoun live with them as well. Brittany lives in Laredo, TX as a United States Border Patrol Agent and travels to Spring every other weekend to help with Paula's care giving.
On March 13, 2013, The Magoun family experienced a tragic unexpected loss of their daughter and sister, Kristen Magoun, age 25. Kristen was also a primary caregiver for Paula. Since their loss, the Magoun family has had to fund the cost of daytime caregivers for Paula while Courtney is working. Luckily, the Magouns have been blessed with many friends and loved ones who have helped support the family.
During the Super Bowl there was an advertisement for a communication tool that uses eye monitoring to help patients with ALS communicate via the computer. After reviewing the cost of the computer it was clear that it was cost prohibitive. This is when we decided we would turn to crowd funding. We are asking for donations to help pay for a computer for Paula. Any kind of donation is greatly appreciated to help and assist Paula communicate and express her feelings to her friends and loved ones.
For more information about the product please go to:
http://www.tobiiati-webshop.com/collections/featured-aac/products/tobii-eyemobile-featuring-microsoft
As the months progressed, Paula's condition became worse and worse eventually leading to the inability to speak or communicate with her daughters, husband and son. Now, in February 2014, she is completely disabled and solely relies on her two daughters, Courtney & Brittany for full care giving. Courtney is a full time ICU nurse and currently lives at home with Paula in their residential home in Spring, TX. Paula's husband, Tim Magoun and son, Ian Magoun live with them as well. Brittany lives in Laredo, TX as a United States Border Patrol Agent and travels to Spring every other weekend to help with Paula's care giving.
On March 13, 2013, The Magoun family experienced a tragic unexpected loss of their daughter and sister, Kristen Magoun, age 25. Kristen was also a primary caregiver for Paula. Since their loss, the Magoun family has had to fund the cost of daytime caregivers for Paula while Courtney is working. Luckily, the Magouns have been blessed with many friends and loved ones who have helped support the family.
During the Super Bowl there was an advertisement for a communication tool that uses eye monitoring to help patients with ALS communicate via the computer. After reviewing the cost of the computer it was clear that it was cost prohibitive. This is when we decided we would turn to crowd funding. We are asking for donations to help pay for a computer for Paula. Any kind of donation is greatly appreciated to help and assist Paula communicate and express her feelings to her friends and loved ones.
For more information about the product please go to:
http://www.tobiiati-webshop.com/collections/featured-aac/products/tobii-eyemobile-featuring-microsoft
Organizer
Timothy Penney
Organizer
Spring, TX
