March 2026: Doug and Margui are super grateful for the funds that were contributed last summer, and for the people who have contributed since then. It's time for another fundraising push, this time focused on paid caregivers.

The first beautiful blast of money paid for a hospital bed and, more recently, an alternating pressure mattress. Margui wrote to me, “The hospital bed! Wow! What a lifesaver! While we were in Oregon on vacation recently, my back was killing me from bending over Doug in the regular bed. And the boys had to help me transfer him in and out of the bed.” The alternating pressure mattress is helpful to prevent pressure sores now that Doug spends longer times in bed.

The first burst of funds also paid for more caregiving hours than Doug and Margui could otherwise afford. The caregiving hours are a lifesaver for Margui. The paid caregivers help with numerous things, including:

- getting Doug into the shower

- transferring him from his bed into his wheelchair

- various household tasks

These tasks are hard on Margui’s body. When a caregiver is there, Margui can also get to her own doctor and PT appointments more easily.

This next batch of funds will go almost entirely to caregivers. They greatly reduce Margui’s stress. A half day of caregiving costs $140. Margui usually arranges for caregivers for a half day about five days each week. As Doug’s ability to use his muscles continues to decline, she will need more caregiving time.

Here's what I wrote last summer:

Our beloved Doug has ALS, and we want to help. The immediate need is for a hospital bed. Medicare is dragging its feet about coverage. In the meantime, Doug and Margui need to rent one, costing several hundred dollars per month. They are paying for a caregiver two half days each week, and this need will grow. Each half-day shift costs $120.

The watercolor illustration is Greenlake (by Dave Baab), close to Doug and Margui's house, where they have walked so often.