Hello! My dad’s name is Dave and he was diagnosed with ALS last fall. He loves BBQ, Food, Old Movies and Music. He is Papa to my kids, Big Dave to my husband and he is my best bud.

He had been struggling with his health for years and was slowly becoming more immobile. The few years before his diagnosis, we saw so many doctors, some who had ideas about what was wrong with him and some that had no clue. He had so many test done that it drained not only his wallet, but his patience. We had no idea what could be causing his stiff joints and muscles, his pain and instability, his immobility. Through all this he kept working, kept moving the best he could, kept up hope that the next test would solve this unforeseen riddle that had become his health. He was unable to get out of bed around late summer last year. My sister, my husband and I tried for a significant amount of time and finally got him standing and “mobile”, but made my mom take him to KU Med ER to get checked out. He was there for almost 2 weeks and that is when his diagnosis came. We were all crushed.

He fell around Thanksgiving last year and then again after the New Year. He cracked numerous ribs and was pretty banged up and sat in a chair for over a month due to immobility and pain. He refused to go to the hospital.

Shortly after that in early February, we met with the ALS clinic at KU MED and were discussing care and possibilities. They decided the best action was Hospice due to my dad’s ferocious decline. He has been bed ridden ever since.

Don’t get me wrong, what he has lost in mobility and movement he has not lost in spirit, sarcasm and sass. He is still the same witty and silly dude you would know and recognize.

His body might be failing, but his mind is 100% running on only the silliness that is my dad! He still laughs, yells (understandable!), and brings light and laughter like he always did.

Like any good song, CCR said it best, What if Someday Never Comes? That is where you all come in. The time that my dad has left, we are trying to make it as eventful, memorable and as happy as we can. At this time, we are trying to raise money to help with Bucket List items for my dad and any other possible care necessities aside from the Bucket List. My dad is a Foodie!...We are going to try our best to get him to New Orleans like he always wanted (he LOVES spicy/Creole food!), or to eat BBQ in another state (please not Texas!), or go to Guy Fieri’s DD&D’s places (the greasier the better), or any other things he can think of, but if we run out of time, or if we can’t make any or all of his Bucket List come true, all of the money collected will go to the best care or supplies we can buy to help him and my mom. Hospice has been amazing, but my mom has been the major caretaker, and any burden lifted off her is worth twofold.

We would love to give my dad any and all of his last wishes or any ease of care. The unfortunate problem is we can’t do this alone…it is beyond our reach. One of my dad’s favorite songs is “Down on the Corner” by CCR, “Willy and the Poor boys are playin’, bring a nickel, tap your feet.” Your nickels are worth their weight in gold and we would love to get my dad’s feet tappin’. Thank you, thank you. We love and appreciate you.