ALS Care for Michael: A Family's Plea

I have struggled to write this for quite some time because I have a hard time asking for help for personal reasons when we ALL have “stuff” we are going through...

So here goes...update on my dad who was diagnosed with ALS a few years after losing his mobility in his legs out of nowhere. Symptoms showed up around the middle of 2021 right when he was retiring. It then progressed over the next 4 years to no longer being able to move his arms or legs anymore.

It’s been 6 weeks since dad has been home following a 5 month stay in the hospital therefore making it 187 days bed ridden on a ventilator. Imagine not being able to speak or move on your own, get out of bed, rub your nose, wipe your own butt, feed yourself, or breathe without assistance, yet are fully aware, coherent and can feel everything still. It’s an AWFUL disease no one ever wants to get nor see a loved one go through it.

My mom is an absolute ANGEL! She has taken on the role of his caretaker keeping him alive by assisting his every need and move he needs to make around the clock. I’m thankful I live 10 minutes from them so I can help her clean him after a bowel movement as it takes 2 people to do it safely. We are grateful for the neighbors, one being her sister and her husband who live across the street from them, who also have assisted her when I am not able to.

After 45 days home, my mom is exhausted, yet doesn’t complain for one second about what she endures every day. On Saturday, July 26th will be their 50th wedding anniversary and my brothers and I will be throwing them an “open house” type of party where you can come by and say hello as they would love to see their loved ones! We will celebrate on Sunday August 3rd with a taco truck in front of their house from 4pm-8pm. If you would like to come by, please Message me for more details!

The help we are asking for is LOVE! We want to show them the kind of love they’ve given others without hesitancy over the years. Any stories you have of your favorite memories with them we’d love to hear! If you aren’t able to make it, but you are still wanting to see Michael Brummel, he is open to seeing you. He tells me “one of the worst things about this disease is how boring it is”. So just your presence is appreciated and I promise you will be so glad you did while he’s still with us.

My brothers and I are grateful we are in positions to be able to afford the extra care needed in order for my dad to be in the home, however, the reason I am even creating this account is only because MANY have asked how they can contribute financially, and I’ve learned through this experience, people do set aside $ where they can feel good about helping in some way. I was asked by loved ones to start a GoFundMe page to help my mom get her rest as well. My brothers and I continue to help at least 1-2 nights each week and I am forever grateful for this time with Dad. Any support you can offer, whether financially or energetically is appreciated! For the help that is needed, it costs us about $1500/week as insurance doesn’t cover this kind of care. We sincerely thank you for your continued positive thoughts and prayers as we keep dad alive and in good spirits! He is truly my HERO!

For any questions on seeing him, please reach out to my mom at [phone redacted]. They are always open to visitors, but she can help coordinate between medical visits.

For anyone wanting to donate without going through GoFundMe due to the fees they charge, you can reach out to me at [phone redacted].

Thank you all for your love and support!

Love, Amelia