The photo you see on the cover is the last photo we have of our dad standing independently.

ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Louis Gehrig’s disease is an illness which weakens the muscles and impacts physical functions of a person. Day by day, the nerve cells in the body begin to break down with no chance at regeneration. The muscles in the body begin to decay and the affected individual is riddled with chronic pain as their body wastes away.

The person affected slowly begins to have trouble walking, trouble standing up, trouble using their arms, trouble speaking… eventually they will have trouble breathing on their own.

There is medication to slow down the progression of the illness, but it is terminal.

There is no cure for ALS.

Our dad Carlos was diagnosed with ALS back in 2022 after complaining of muscle cramps and spasms in his arms and legs. An inability to raise his left foot was what prompted a trip to the emergency department. After copious tests, trials and scans, the resulting diagnosis came as a shock for our family. Our otherwise healthy, happy and free-spirited dad had been served a death sentence in his 50’s.

2-5 years at worst, decades at best.

Dad’s mobility now is limited to that of a mechanical wheelchair. We are fortunate and grateful that he still has his speech and the ability to breathe independently, but he requires round the clock care. He cannot walk anymore, dance anymore, or even raise is arms to brush his hair or feed himself.

This is where we need your help. We are looking to purchase “Dynamic Arm Supports” for him. Robot arms, essentially.

Why? Because this will give him at least some semblance of his independence back. With the help of these supports, Dad will be able to feed himself, brush his own teeth and hair, get himself a drink of water when he’s thirsty. He will be able to hold a pen and draw, design and create as he has his entire life. For a man whose entire life has been stolen from him, this will give him a chance —while he is still able— to be himself again without having to rely on others.

To anybody who is able to donate, even the tiniest amount, we humbly ask for your support and your generosity.

Help us give Carlos a chance to be independent again.

With love and gratitude,

Carlos’s family x