ALS Won't Stop This Party

** Anyone who donates $20 or more will receive a copy of the forthcoming children's book "Scuba Diving Whale", written by Christopher Hayden with illustrations by Kristin Arrivello.  Donors names will also be acknowledged in the back of the book! **

Our lives changed on Thursday, June 26th when my partner, Christopher Hayden, was diagnosed with the terminal neurological disease, ALS, or Lou Gehrigs disease. There is no cure. The doctors have given him 2-4 years to live. Christopher's symptoms began about a year ago with weakness in his left hand. As of today he has lost almost all function of both his hands, cannot perform simple tasks like buttoning, turning knobs, opening jars and has begun losing his voice.
Christopher is 36 years old. He had planned on going back to school this fall to get his Masters in Early Childhood Education, now he can hardly sign his name. He had such an enthusiastic passion for teaching, it was truly his calling and the children LOVED him.
ALS is a disease that seems to effect military personnel and athletes more the others. Christopher was always extremely active. He taught sailing lessons, and his family frequently went skiing and snowboarding and up until just recently he could be seen in the neighborhood jumping the sewer gap on his skateboard. He loved diving off cliffs and the swimming. He grew up playing drums and guitar. He can't play either now but his love and knowledge of music is exceptional, he's known by his friends for his unsurpassed mixes and ALWAYS has a song to play. He started his first band in 4th grade "Tommyland" and has been in many more since then. He played drums, sang and wrote songs in the band "Magnet City Kids" which gained regional notoriety. Christopher used to juggle knives and could been seen in a frog costume riding a unicycle as of last Halloween. He has performed and toured with a dance team called "Club Lyfestile" and has lived in many communal houses throughout his life which were some of his favorite days EVER. He loves spending time gardening and loves his cat Tezzeret.
Christopher's known as Haydog around his buddies and all in all is a huge fan of life, love, making friends, sharing conversation and creating fun where ever he can. 
The doctors are unsure of how the disease will progress, but I am committed to making this summer the best ever by getting Christopher and I to Berlin and have enough money for an extended stay.
Currently he is on unemployment and has just filed for disability this week. I want to have enough not to worry about his comfort. He will need money for his plane ticket, train rides, accommodation nights (he will mostly stay with a friend) and spending money. His plane ticket will be around $800.00. The more we raise the better this trip will be for him. I want him to not have to worry about money and enjoy the time he has. 
*Christopher currently can hardly use his hands anymore. The nerves in his arms, hands and fingers are deteriorated. Grasping, grabbing, pulling things up, spreading his palms, pinching, even just holding anything is out of the equation now. Using keys, zipping up his coat, buttoning, opening any jars, packages, and numerous other tasks all are almost impossible for him at this time. Eating is a chore, swallowing has become difficult and everything is getting worse as the days go on...
*He also has an aspiration to self-publish a children's book entitled "Scuba Diving Whale". He has proposed to use donations to make this happen, and will reward donators with a copy of the book.
ALS is an awful monster of a disease and I  wish that no one else would ever have to go through with this, it is truly a heartbreaking disease. 
Thank you and love to you...