In 2013, my friend and neighbor, Dave Spence began experiencing severe unexplained medical problems. After many visits to doctors and costly procedures, Dave was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s Disease on April 9, 2014 at the age of 50.
ALS is a devastating disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which leads to the atrophy of muscles. Eventually, the ability to speak, eat, move, and breathe is lost. There is no known cure.
But ALS is not only physically and emotionally devastating for people like Dave and his family. It is also financially devastating and debilitating. Dave, his wife Dede, and their youngest son, Kyle, age 9 are now living on a single income from Dede’s job as a nurse. Due to Dave’s physical condition, a very expensive motorized wheelchair became an absolute necessity. Their insurance paid for it, then promptly dropped Dave from coverage. Medicare is now their only financial relief, and of course, does not pay for a lot. A huge out of pocket expense was a $17,000.00 remodel of their house to allow Dave an accessible bathroom and bedroom. Dave is no longer able to swallow food, so is fed via a tube with a formula that costs $400.00 per month out of pocket. His medications are $600.00 per month out of pocket. He is in desperate need of a special hospital bed for the house that will run a minimum of $2,000.00. Dave and his family need a wheelchair accessible van that will cost $30,000.00--$40,000.00.
Dave Spence is a good, loving, Christian, family man who is not sad, bitter, or angry about his condition. In fact, he is just the opposite. He is happy and upbeat, and is a true inspiration to others. He views his tragic circumstances as an opportunity to inspire and motivate. Please donate whatever you can to this good family, then share, tweet, e-mail and spread the word in any other way possible for others to do the same. Dave is a fighter. Please help him and his family in their time of need, and please pray for them.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
Organizer and beneficiary
Deirdre Spence
Beneficiary