Melissa's ALS Battle
Donation protected
Having just graduated from nursing school, landing a job with Children's Hospital and Medical Center, marrying the man of her dreams, and welcoming a beautiful baby boy in February 2016, life was looking great for Melissa McMahon. Melissa and Scott were overjoyed with their new additon, and starting their new life together. Within weeks of delivery, Melissa began to notice weakness in her right hand, then it progressed to her right arm. After many appointments and tests, Melissa was diagnosed with familial ALS in June 2016.
Familial ALS is a type of ALS that runs in a family. Although Melissa's dad had passed away in 1990 from ALS, she hadn't realized how prevalant ALS was on her father's side of the family. Familial ALS is also very rare accounting for only 5%-10% of all ALS cases, so the onset of symtpoms and then diagnosis were a complete shock for Melissa and her husband.
Now for just a little education on what Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS) is, and how it affects Melissa'a everyday life (as if adjusting to life with a newborn wasn't enough). ALS is also know as Lou Gehrig's Disease and is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This progressive degeneration of motor neurons leads to deterioration of voluntary muscle action, paralysis, and eventually death. There are currently no known cures for ALS but science keeps advancing and developing new treatments. ALS will typically take a person's life within 2 to 5 years from diagnosis.
Due to the progressive nature of the disease, Melissa's need for a number of assistive devices, therapies, and personal assistance to support her daily activites will continue to grow. After her diagnosis, she was not able to return to work, and she has continued to manage the home and care for their young son. As their son approches his first birthday, with his increased mobility and her progressive weakness, there are increased childcare and medical expenses.
A recent MDA study reveals that the annual cost for caring for a patient with ALS is approximately $63,000. (mda-study-reveals-cost-illness-als ). This increased medical expense and that of running a household on a single income is more than most families can endure. We are hoping to lessen this finacial burden and let Melissa and Scott enjoy life with their son without having to focus so much on their financial obstacles.
We also ask for your continued prayers, as this is not a battle she should have to fight alone.
Familial ALS is a type of ALS that runs in a family. Although Melissa's dad had passed away in 1990 from ALS, she hadn't realized how prevalant ALS was on her father's side of the family. Familial ALS is also very rare accounting for only 5%-10% of all ALS cases, so the onset of symtpoms and then diagnosis were a complete shock for Melissa and her husband.
Now for just a little education on what Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS) is, and how it affects Melissa'a everyday life (as if adjusting to life with a newborn wasn't enough). ALS is also know as Lou Gehrig's Disease and is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This progressive degeneration of motor neurons leads to deterioration of voluntary muscle action, paralysis, and eventually death. There are currently no known cures for ALS but science keeps advancing and developing new treatments. ALS will typically take a person's life within 2 to 5 years from diagnosis.
Due to the progressive nature of the disease, Melissa's need for a number of assistive devices, therapies, and personal assistance to support her daily activites will continue to grow. After her diagnosis, she was not able to return to work, and she has continued to manage the home and care for their young son. As their son approches his first birthday, with his increased mobility and her progressive weakness, there are increased childcare and medical expenses.
A recent MDA study reveals that the annual cost for caring for a patient with ALS is approximately $63,000. (mda-study-reveals-cost-illness-als ). This increased medical expense and that of running a household on a single income is more than most families can endure. We are hoping to lessen this finacial burden and let Melissa and Scott enjoy life with their son without having to focus so much on their financial obstacles.
We also ask for your continued prayers, as this is not a battle she should have to fight alone.
Organiser and beneficiary
Lisa Hobza
Organiser
Omaha, NE
Melissa McMahon
Beneficiary
