I am living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Parkinson's. I am trying to raise $10,000 CDN towards my ~$7,500 co-pay portion of a tailored-to-my-needs ~$30,000 electric wheelchair, a device that will help me maintain my mobility and independence. I am now very limited in using my upper and lower body. I am eager to get this wheelchair which I will be able to control with head movements.  However, I will only receive the wheelchair once my co-pay is paid. The ALS Society may make a donation towards my co-pay.

 Over the 2017-2018 winter, I began to have repeated falls, from which I could not pick myself up. However, the diagnosis of a very rare form of ALS called progressive muscular atrophy or PMA wasn't finally confirmed until last summer. There are currently about six PMA patients in Ottawa, a city of about 1 million. My ALS neurologist believes I've had PMA for at least a year.

 The saying among Parkinson's patients and their doctors is that you die with Parkinson’s not of Parkinson's.  However, the standard rule of thumb is that ALS patients live from 3 to 5 years post-diagnosis. Some live much longer (e.g. Stephen Hawking) or shorter time frames. In my case, the progress of my disease has proven to be quite rapid. Last summer, until I had a bad fall, I was able to walk 2 km with my walker.  However, after several more falls on my head I am now barely able to walk 10 feet with my walker, while accompanied.  I have since learned that after falls ALS patients do not recover as do non-ALS patients. So I'm using my manual wheelchair ($800), a walker ($500), a motorized lift recliner chair ($1,600) and a floor exercise wheel ($300) used while I'm seated.

 I have also purchased adaptive equipment including a program called Dragon Naturally Speaking which does voice to text and a quality microphone ($600). 

 I currently spend nearly all of my income to pay for my rent, food, medical needs, and so forth.  I am anticipating a marked increase in my monthly cost from ~$800 to ~$900 because of my need for greater care. I am applying for long-term care, which is much cheaper, but the wait can be years.

 If you have Amazon Prime I highly recommend watching the documentary Gleason. It chronicles the story of a legendary football player in New Orleans who got married and diagnosed with ALS right afterward. The documentary has won a slew of accolades and awards.

 I will be extremely grateful for any financial or other support you can provide whether large or small. 

 Many, many thanks. Greg
gregoryhellyer at gmail.com