George's ALS Journey

September 28th is a day our family will never forget.  For almost a year, dad had been struggling with mobility issues, which we thought stemmed from a pinched nerve.  After a couple of falls and some very strong convincing from Kelly, he went to both a chiropractor and the doctor to see what was going on.  Several visits and some intense conversations later, dad was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease, also known as ALS.

We have learned so much since then, but we have so much more to learn. There is no known cure.  Heck, there is no definitive cause.  As a veteran, the VA has been so helpful. They've provided financial assistance and a support system in ways we never would have imagined. Dad has made connections with other victims of this terrible disease, who have been helpful by sharing stories and giving helpful advice. 

All of that being said, we have a very long road ahead.  Many of our original worries regarding health care have, thankfully, been addressed by the VA. However, there are still a variety of major expenses coming our way.  A mobility car (a car that can fit dads wheelchair) is very expensive. Our hope is to help alleviate the financial burden of purchasing this car by helping them raise the necessary funds. Another thing we are hoping to do with this is to help raise funds for the ALS Association, whose purpose is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest. 

We understand that not everyone has money to give.  That is ok!  There are other ways you can help.  You can put mom and dad in your thoughts, prayers, or whatever it is you do. You can give them a shout and check in with them. You can give any one of us a hug or a high five, we'd never turn it down.  You can be there for moral support, it's going to be very helpful. No matter what you are able to do, we can't even begin to thank you, you rock!