Help Dave and Karen Smith

Karen and Dave Smith moved to Germany seven years ago to join the federal service and work with families stationed overseas. Five years into this new life, Dave started feeling strange sensations in his hands. After a year of testing, doctors determined he was experiencing early signs of ALS. 

Dave's symptoms recently increased: he can no longer move both arms, he cannot swallow, or walk more than 2-3 steps. 

Karen is now Dave's full-time caregiver.  To make matters worse their home and small-town Germany have not been wheelchair friendly.  Her only option is to return to the US for Dave's care and assistance.  The cross-Atlantic move would be complicated enough, and Dave and Karen must make it during a global pandemic.  The devastating situation has also forced Karen into an unplanned retirement, for which they were not financially prepared. They no longer have any income coming in to replace the income lost to retirement.

There is no cure for ALS... and Dave wants to move home to be surrounded by his family when he passes.  It's time to get Dave and Karen home to the US...and they need our help. Significant unexpected daily traveling costs are incurred as the couple packs up their household and move from their little village in Bavaria to the West Coast of the US. 

We, here in Germany, have gathered to provide errands, cleaning, and food services, but we would like to help Karen and Dave recoup the $10,000+ they have needed to spend on the flight alone... which is why we're here.

Words will never repay your kindness and generosity, but every dollar donated will greatly assist Dave and Karen as they resettle back in America. Thank you so much.