PLEASE HELP Andrea Devaux - CARE TAKING and BASICS

Hi, I'm Michele Dennis, a longtime friend and colleague of Andrea Devaux. I wanted to give you an update if you haven't had a chance to visit Andrea in person. Her ALS has progressed very quickly. She can use your help again with funding.

Though Andrea is still reeling from the death of her dear partner, Leslie last week, she continues to stay as strong as she can. Her daughter, Kat was able to use her special stair climbing chair to get her to the hospital to say goodbye.

Andrea is completely paralyzed now and can not speak, but has amazing tech that allows her to lock her eyes on a screen displaying a digital keyboard, where she chooses letters to form words as well as a myriad of responses & questions she wrote. The voice playback is actually her voice. The developer used previous recording of her voice done for her book, No Such Thing as Off the Record. Though not so easy to express, she continues to have a wicked sense of humor. Something she and Leslie shared with joy.

Andrea wishes to take some time before she considers hospice. But she is at a point where money is too tight. Her daughter, Kat with daughter works as her primary caregiver. Though they have found a caretaker who will work the swing shift hours that they need the most help, that person will be paid out of pocket. And additional help for the weekend is also needed. Insurance does not cover this sort of help on a regular basis at all.

With all of this, Andrea can really use your help to help pay for extra caretaking, rents and van services going forward. And to support and allow her to help pay her daughter a stipend so she can afford to look after Andrea full-time. Andrea's 3 year old granddaughter, Nova, is part of the fully packed equation as well. She spends the day with Mom and Mamma (Andrea).

Please consider helping as much as you can. And if you are comfortable helping her with basic needs, consider signing up on her calendar to help feed, or......

FIRST POSTING:

Many of us know Andrea for her almost 3 decades working in the film industry as a Script Supervisor and/or Director; as an amazing public speaking coach and author; as the President and Cofounder of a woman’s business networking group (NEWofMarin); and for 25 years as a part time fitness instructor (teaching 5 different formats at various Bay Area gyms). In all those capacities she is known for her wit, intuition, humor, intelligence, and teamwork. She has always looked out for her fellow crew members, creating community wherever she goes. She is wonderfully generous with her time and energy. But most importantly, she is a good friend.

Andrea is currently in the fight of her life.

Since May, Andrea has been experiencing symptoms synonymous with ALS, a fatal motor neuron disease. It causes progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, it affects voluntary control of arms and legs, ultimately leading to the inability to swallow and breathe.

So far 3 doctors (2 of them, Neurologists) believe what she has is likely ALS. She is currently waiting to be seen by yet another ALS specialist at UCSF. There is no single test to diagnose ALS. From symptom onset to diagnosis it usually takes 12 months.

In just a few short months, Andrea has lost her ability to be flexible and strong. Her speech pattern is now slow and deliberate, her every move now calculated due to her wobbly leg, drop foot and weak arm. She can no longer drive and now walks with a cane.

In this condition she can no longer work. But for those of us who know her well, she is still a fighter! And her sense of humor, and upbeat positivity still shines through.

Due to these unforeseen health issues, she can use all the help she can get right now — both to cover current expenses — and to hopefully fund stem cell treatments that have proven helpful to ALS patients participating in recent research studies (not currently FDA approved).

Please be as generous as you can.

Thank you,

Michele