Hello, my name is Crystal Heil. As some of you already know, our family was recently dealt a devastating blow in January 2022. I was unexpectedly diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The overwhelming expense of managing a condition like ALS few families can manage on their own. Therefore, our family has started a Go Fund Me campaign to help ease the financial burden of this insidious disease. We hope that our community, who know and love us, will come together to consider even the smallest contribution toward this effort. This GoFundMe is being managed by my myself, my daughter Christi Heil, my son Curtis Heil, and my spouse Dan Heil.

ALS is an unimaginable debilitating, progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS causes motor neurons to degenerate until the brain can no longer initiate and control muscle movement. Those suffering lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe without assistance. ALS is a rare disease affecting around 5,000 people annually in the United States. There is no cure or treatment. Doctors don’t even know what causes it. Because of these unknowns and the scope of its impacts, ALS is a costly disease to treat. Estimates range as high as $100,00-$200,000 per year.

Disease progression began in the lower half of my body, moving up to my left arm and hand, and progressing into the right arm. As a result, I am unable to walk, stand, dress and need assistance in all the basic daily tasks most take for granted. It has created an enormous amount of changes and challenges in our lives.

I have been a lifelong small business owner and a hard-working artist, operating a new age business, vending as a henna artist at local festivals and teaching acrylic paint night at many local restaurants and private homes. In addition, I have been and continue to be a loving wife, mom, a supportive friend and known "shop mom " to many of the youth in our community. This diagnosis permanently altered every single aspect of my life, but my spirit has not been diminished. I continue to be strong and upbeat while continuing to inspire my community through my love of creating, encouraging, and sharing my love of art.

We plan to use your donations to help improve day-to-day life. Our goal is to be able to purchase a wheelchair-compatible vehicle, so I can be taken to all the places I love to go. The money will also go towards things that can further improve my quality of life in the future as needed, including tools to help me speak and communicate, a comfortable hospital bed, my own motorized wheelchair, and more.

I am genuinely grateful for the outpouring of love and support I recieve every day. I know that I am loved. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering any amount you’re able to contribute to helping me live with ALS.

With Love & Gratitude, ~ Crystal, Dan, Curtis and Christi