** Update: We are blown away by your heartfelt generosity. Please know that every penny over our initial goal will be used to care for Forrest and the girls: medical supplies, more caregiving hours, and other expenses that are not covered by insurance but that are critical to his care. Thank you to each and every person who has given or shared this. I can’t express my gratitude, and I know Forest and Leslie feel so loved and supported.

So many of you have supported Leslie, Forrest, and the girls during Forrest’s ALS journey. ALS does not follow anyone’s plans and is a cruel, heartless disease.

Forrest’s medical needs had already become too much for Leslie to handle on her own, and with his two recent hospitalizations, it is now time to find a way to provide more caregiving support. Leslie has cared for Forrest’s every need on her own for years - a task so unbelievably difficult that you would have to see to understand. During his two recent hospital stays, Leslie has had to be present 24/7 because even hospitals don’t have the ability to care for someone with his level of need (Yes, it’s true. No, it doesn’t make sense).

I did not realize the extent to which our healthcare system is broken and how few resources are available to help terminally ill, medically challenging patients until I watched it happen. The bottom line is insurance only provides home health in the sense that a nurse or other therapists will come out a few times per week to handle wound care, IV care, etc. But it does not cover any caregiving services. It’s also not been possible so far to find a facility that will accept patients with Forrest’s level of care.

This leaves one option - out of pocket caregiving, which is extremely expensive (about $30 per hour). It’s time to come together and help raise money for a caregiver come out during the week to help. They will also use the funds for the girls to have summer tutoring twice per week. This has been so hard on the girls, and regular tutoring will help keep them on track academically. The funding goal would provide about 6 months of care for Forrest and summer tutoring for the girls.

Please give whatever you are able. Nothing is too small. Share with friends and family. Leslie and Forrest are forever grateful for all the ways they have been loved and supported during this journey.