Hi guys!!

Hope you all having a beautiful end of summer, and the sun is shining on you, and all the ones you love!♥️

As you guys may know, my dad “Big Ed” has been fighting a cruel battle with ALS, for over 5 years now. A lot of people with the disease, don’t live that long. Here’s what it’s defined as, in case you have no idea, which I totally didn’t either…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurological disease that primarily affects the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement (those muscles we choose to move). Voluntary muscles produce movements like chewing, walking, and talking. The disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms get worse over time. Currently, there is no cure for ALS and no effective treatment to halt or reverse the progression of the disease.

Basically, it takes you out in a really terrible way. My dad has been fighting the hell out of it. I’ve never seen so much drive in someone. I’ll get into all that further in updates. You know I like to write! Currently, he’s in his 3 floor house, in the country, living by himself, in Ontario. I’m living in Quebec. He can no longer speak, so phone calls and getting answers for things, and a million other circumstances, all day, every day, that he has to navigate through. He can no longer walk on his own. He has a walker, but the muscles in his legs and arms have really started progressing poorly, this past month. His balance isn’t great, and after 3 days of being with him, I know what I need to do.

I don’t have a family really. Myself, Bird and my father. As a single mom and a photographer and business owner, I have to keep a lot of plates spinning, all the time, to make sure we’re okay and have the things we need. To come here to Rosseau, Ontario, and stay with my dad, making sure he’s eating, and that he doesn’t fall alone in his house, I’m going to need a bit of help… which KILLS ME to ask for, but I don’t see any other way to be with my dying dad, without my life completely falling apart around me, back home. The decision became loud and clear, that I NEED to be here, and I need to step up and in, and do my duty, with absolute honor. It took us my entire life to get to the beautiful, trusting, supportive and compassionate relationship we have now. We were both humbled and softened, by this tragic disease, and got to the heart of what’s life purpose actually is; supporting and loving each other, in the best and absolutely worst of days.

So that’s where I’m at. I need a little help and support, guys. I promise I’ll make it up to every single one of you, in some way. ♥️ A million thank yous, from my tiny family.

PS My dad is an incredible stone mason, self taught, and has done truly awe-inspiring landscapes, for some many gorgeous, Muskoka properties. Go check out his Instagram @thewizardofawes

He’s made our earth a more beautiful place. Such a talent.