Hi my name is Melissa. As most of you know I was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS on May 2, 2023.

If you don’t know what Bulbar ALS is here is a blurb of a medical definition. “Bulbar onset ALS, in which symptoms start from affected neurons in the corticobulbar area of the brain stem. In bulbar onset ALS, control of muscles of the face, head, and neck is affected before the weakness of the limbs or trunk develops. Significant speech impairment, tongue immobility, and difficulty swallowing are common early stage symptoms.Bulbar onset ALS is considered one of the most severe variants of ALS. It’s associated with cognitive decline, decreased quality of life.”

I stopped working on June 15, 2023 as I was no longer able to continue performing my job and I have become disabled. I have lost my ability to speak clearly, my swallowing has become to the point I choke so I now am on a high protein soft diet to ensure it is safe to eat and to keep from losing weight too quickly and have to get a feeding tube. My arms are very weak, my hands are to the point I can barely use them, my legs are getting weaker, my breathing is more shallow as my diaphragm weakens. I get sever twitching which is called fasciculation’s all over my body, face, neck and throat. I have horrible muscle cramping in my throat, jaw, diaphragm, hands, arms, legs, feet, and fingers. This is due to the muscle becoming weakened. I am now having foot drop on my right side which is causing me to trip especially in my room on the carpet which means the left is soon to follow. I am to the point when I go out I am either in my transport wheelchair or I use a scooter. This has been a huge adjustment for me I am taking it like a champ but I need to be safe and not fall as that will make me progress at a faster rate. I am asking for your help if you would be able to assist me and my family to raise money. My husband Joe is able to do most of the work himself so we save on the labor and installation. The most important and first thing I need to do is purchase flooring as soon as possible and widen my doorways so my rollator can fit properly through the doors. I am going to need to get a ramp for my home as stairs are becoming harder and unsafe as my balance and ability to walk becomes less and less. I will need to purchase a handicapped vehicle to transport my electric wheelchair. My bathroom will need to be handicap accessible because once I am no longer able to stand and/or become paralyzed I will only be in my electric wheelchair or shower wheelchair. I am hopeful that it will be a while but am also realistic and it’s coming sooner than later unfortunately. I am trying to remain and function as a normal person as long as possible. I am praying for a miracle as this is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. I am so appreciative of anything you are able to give to help me and my family through this transition to our new way of living. Please keep praying for me and my family. If you can donate my family and I will forever be grateful as this was so unexpected and feels like such a weight on my shoulders that I need help with. Love you all bunches and I am thankful for all of you.

Love,

Melissa, Joe, Christian & Alexandra Wise