Help for Kylie Kaplanis (27)— diagnosed with ALS

UPDATE 2/01/2022

It is with a heavy heart that we share that Kylie peacefully passed away January 20, 2022 at the age of 27. She was surrounded by her loved ones after a brave battle with a terminal illness of ALS. Her loss is felt near and far, and we are grateful that Kylie provided clear instructions for how she should be celebrated and remembered. 

Part of Kylie’s final wishes included specific requests for her funeral and burial, which have come at quite a cost to the family. Please consider donating any amount to lessen the financial burden on her family. Funds raised through this site will directly benefit Kylie’s final wishes, and celebrate her vibrant life through support of her end of life plans.

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At age 27 now, Kylie is in the last month of her life as of January 2022. In just two short years her condition went from the picture on the left, to that on the right. She is expecting only 3 to 4 weeks left before her passing.

Kylie was a very active, healthy, and beautiful daughter of Tammy and Gerry. In her early 20’s she had her own residence, car, and career. However, that all changed when she was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, which is a terrible and rapid-progressing neurological (nervous system) disease that belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases.

In February 2020, Kylie had to move in with her parents because she could no longer take care of herself. Now, just two years later, Kylie has lost function of her legs, arms and hands, requiring 24/7 assistance do anything accept breath and swallow.

This is where some urgent help is needed. Mom (office manager at a dental facility), and dad (a police officer), have to work full-time somehow to make ends meet and to afford the few hours per week care-giving assistance. Anyone among us could be in this situation of Kylie and Tammy. Imagine the toll this must take with the need for full-time 24/7 assistance.

It is nearly impossible for someone to understand what Kylie and Tammy are going through unless having had some similar experience, personally. In Tammy’s own words on January 1st 2022:

 

“Kylie is in constant pain because she is not able to move herself to reposition her body which then becomes sore and in pain, we physically have to go in and move her and reposition her through the night about 6 times and about every hour during the day. This disease has been horrible for her, our family and friends. Dealing with this disease has causes everyone in our lives to dis-attach and pull away from her because it’s a very hard thing to be part of it and to watch over this amount of time. Our time with her is very short now – we know this and cherish ever moment with her.”