Carl Polo’s fight against ALS

The fight against ALS is not a straight line, one that’s predictable, or one you can truly prepare for. ALS is a terminal diagnosis that presents its warriors a life expectancy of 2-5 years, no known cure, and the progressive loss of mobility, speech, and breathing abilities. This disease will force you to fight; physically, financially, and emotionally, without warning and without cause.

In the fight for his life, our dad, Carl, has relied on two things to keep him strong; his armor & his army. Sadly, ALS is reckless in its path of destruction and cruelty. His armor has been ripped away; but, by the power of love and support, his army remains loud and strong. Now, above all, we need your help in his fight!

In our family, we call ALS the beast. We attribute emotion and resentment towards the beast. We have watched it steal time, breath, and power right out of our Dad’s hands. We have felt its quiet start, its false hope, and its relentless struggle. Over the past few months, the beast has shown its dark side and accelerated his progression faster than we prepared for. Currently, Carl is fully dependent on 24/7 care.

We are all his army. His family, friends, coworkers, old faces, and loved ones that are cheering him on. In prayers and positive thoughts, we have been able to conquer many barriers the beast built. As with all fights, even against life itself, a time comes when you have to take a seat & lean into the ropes. A time comes when you need some help fighting back. Restricted now by a wheelchair, feeding tube, and ventilator, his fight has shifted. As we work together as a family to ensure his care and resources are aligned as we move forward, we need that help now more than ever.

Life has changed dramatically even apart from the health concerns in our family. Carl’s youngest daughter, Gia, left her career and life in Virginia to move back to Cleveland. They moved into their own place together and she is his full time caregiver. Carli, his oldest daughter, has taken on managing all of his legal and financial obligations. She does this while mothering 4 kids who think the world of their papa. Her husband, Mike, has been a son to Carl, jumping in to create solutions, ensure his safety, and being our resident handy man. Carl’s sister, Anna, and brother in law, Dennis, have shown unwavering support, love, and generosity for Carl and his girls. The girls’ mother, Lynn, a retired nurse, has been paramount in providing the care and concern for his well being with compassion and empathy. His crew of friends have shown their bond stands the test of time by checking in on him, sharing old stories and laughs, and always bringing over donuts. The only silver lining to this horrific disease is that Carl is finally safe and being cared for the way he deserves, comfortably surrounded by his devoted family, who love him more than anything.

Legal fees, running medical expenses for equipment, services, and medications have taken its toll. Coupled with living expenses and the sheer weight of the beast, we humbly state two things:

1. For all your prayers and strength and questions of “how can I help”, we are eternally and emotionally grateful. It takes a village. Thank you for being ours.

2. Anything you can and are willing to offer will be used for Carl’s direct care, medical bills, and living expenses.

On behalf of the Polo family, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Grazie