Help Laura and Family Navigate ALS

Hi, my name is Emma, and I have created this campaign for my mom, Laura.

For nearly two years, my mom's mobility has been declining. Recently, her condition took a serious turn when she began experiencing breathing difficulties. On October 3rd, she was rushed to the ICU.

A few days later, doctors confirmed my mom has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a rapidly progressive condition that causes a loss of control over the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe. Though I had noticed symptoms, this diagnosis was still a shock.

She remains in the ICU, and we don’t yet know when she’ll be able to go home. While she’s continued to meet every goal doctors have set for her, it's inevitable that my mom's life will never be as it was, and changes will continue to happen quickly as ALS progresses.

My mom, Laura, is a loving wife to Mike, an incredible mother to me (Emma), Mary Kate, and Tommy, and a dedicated nurse. She’s also a talented artist, a former marathon runner, and someone who adores painting, gardening, yoga, and cooking from her favorite Barefoot Contessa cookbooks. A magna cum laude graduate of Georgetown University, my mom has spent decades caring for others as a pediatric nurse and currently serves as the School Nurse Supervisor for a school district in Connecticut.

As someone who lives with a progressive neuromuscular condition myself—a rare form of muscular dystrophy—I understand all too well how crucial accessibility is for maintaining independence and quality of life. My mom will need significant adjustments and equipment as her condition progresses. Unfortunately, from my own experience, I know that insurance often only covers the bare minimum. The financial burden can be overwhelming.

This situation is further complicated by the fact that both my mom and I now have significant physical disabilities. Traveling between Brooklyn, where I live, and Connecticut to be with her has become logistically complex and expensive due to the need for wheelchair-accessible transportation and accommodations. My biggest fear is that these costs will prevent us from spending time together. I want to be able to be with my mom to support her, but also because she's my mom.

In addition to my own challenges, my brother, Tom, who lives in Los Angeles, and my sister, Mary Kate, in New York City, will also need to make frequent trips home to be with our mom. For Tom, this means missing work, and for all of us, it means incurring significant travel expenses, which adds to the strain.

This is where I need your help. I'm aiming to raise $45,000 to make sure my mom has everything she needs now and in the future, and so our family can be there to support her, just as she’s always supported us.

Here’s how the funds will be used:

Medical Equipment, Home Modifications, and Personal Care

Travel and Accommodation Costs:

The goal is to provide my mom with the love, care, and support she’s always given to others, without the overwhelming burden of financial stress. Any donation, no matter the size, will make a tremendous difference for my mom and our family.

If you’re unable to contribute financially, sharing this campaign would mean the world to us.

Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity, and support.

With love,

Emma