Kathy has ALS and needs equipment
How would you react if you starting falling down, dropping things, and losing the ability to control your limbs? How about it takes two years to get a diagnoses? Well, it happened to my sister, Kathy.
Hello, my name is Jaqueline Heaney! Anyone who knows me and my loving family knows my amazing sister, Kathy, is battling ALS. ALS is a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. ALS has no cure.
https://www.als.org/understanding-als/what-is-als
Kathy is a loving wife and mother who loves to dance, swim, attend family functions, and so much more. For many years, she enjoyed being a hair stylist. In 2015, Kathy’s hands started to have function issues that ended her profession. As time went on more symptoms occurred, she experienced drop foot, began tripping and falling causing injury to herself. My sister was becoming scared. Doctors ran tests and couldn’t figure out what was wrong, stating it was in her head, while her symptoms worsened. After two years, the diagnosis was ALS and Lyme Disease.
Her husband, Mark, has worked tirelessly to cover as much expense as possible while supporting his wife and household. The last few years the expense to keep up the this disease has become catastrophic and it’s not enough. I’ve researched everything possible to help my sister and everything available is very costly and not covered by insurance.
Kathy once a healthy, strong, vibrant, energetic women never expected to be trapped in a lifeless body. She is depending on others for all her basic daily needs that most of us sometimes takes for granted. Kathy is being mentally, spiritually and physically challenged, it's both devastating to Kathy and entire family.
Mark overwhelmed contacted me for help and I moved from, Nashville, TN, to Florida. He needs help with my sister who has been sitting on a couch, day after day, because I can't lift her and he must work. Kathy can communicate with us through a eye bar on computer. The ability to use the eye bar, allows her to order the household supplies, school supplies, and assist her husband with paperwork and emails.
Kathy needs rehabilitation, physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The equipment and therapy she needs to reach this goal is around $100,000. I do what I can for my sister which is very limited without proper equipment. Kathy remains positive her illness can be maintained or reversed. Her faith in God is strong which keeps her going. My heart goes out to all struggling with this debilitating disease and with continue to pray for a cure.
We understand times are tough and greatly appreciate any help. We ask that you please keep sharing this post going to all your family and friends. We need to get the word out! Thank you, and bless you for reading our story.
A few links for the equipment and help my sister needs:
https://www.rifton.com/products/lift-and-transfer-devices/rifton-tram
https://advancedbionics.com/com/en/home.html
https://www.pyroenergen.com/
https://myolyn.com/
https://www.carsdirect.com/car-buying/the-17-best-handicap-cars-for-the-disabled