IAFF Fire Fighter Greg Leonard - Battling ALS
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IAFF Fire Fighter Greg Leonard - Battling ALS
#helpgregbattleALS
#IAFFbrothergregleonard
Greg Leonard is a Professional Fire Fighter in Anne Arundel County Maryland and a member of IAFF Local 1563. A front-line worker throughout the pandemic, he has gone from working his 24 hour shift in a demanding job to needing assistance completing life tasks in a matter of weeks.
Greg is 32 years old and married to his beloved wife Abby with whom he shares two sons, 3 year old Kip and 5 year old Dash. Fellow Fire Fighters share that Greg is a huge asset to their shift - always eager to learn, train, and teach others.
When the firehouse tones sound, he and his fellow Fire Fighters immediately respond to citizens who may be in the fight of their lives - possibly someone you love and care about.
Greg is now in the fight of his life. At the end of January, Greg developed muscle weakness and decreased grip strength in his right hand, prompting him to go through 2 months of physical therapy. With no improvement, he was initially referred to an orthopedic. Greg’s visits to multiple physicians and extensive testing in an attempt to identify the cause of his continuing and progressive symptoms did not produce any solutions. After seeing multiple neurologists, as well as a 2-day visit at NIH in Bethesda where Greg went through 16 hours of testing, he was ultimately diagnosed with the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease on March 2, 2021. ALS is a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Medication and therapy can slow ALS and reduce discomfort, but there is no cure.
Greg’s family says that his spirits remain high, but each day brings new challenges. Just six week ago, he was working his grueling 24 hour shift as a Professional Fire Fighter. Things are much different for Greg today. His wife Abby recently brought him to his former place of work, Station 9 - Harwood Lothian, for them to have dinner with his fire family and share some smiles. Greg’s wife Abby joked, “You Fire Fighters are always asking how you can help. Well, Greg doesn’t like how I cut his dinner bites - you can handle that job tonight!” In just six short weeks, Greg has gone from pulling a line on his shift to needing help eating his dinner.
The road ahead for Greg, Abby, and the boys is unpredictable. In the coming weeks, the family will encounter significant needs and obstacles including countless trips to the doctor that will grow increasingly difficult as his mobility erodes, necessary modifications to the family home such as ramps and bathroom access, treatment and medication expenses, and childcare needs. Greg is not currently able to work, and Abby’s ability to work may be impacted as Greg’s care needs continue to increase. Estimates are that in the first year alone, medical and life costs exceed six figures for the ALS patient. Ultimately, support for Abby and the boys will be necessary.
As a Fire Fighter, Greg has selflessly given his all to the community he swore to protect. Your generous donations will go directly to the Leonard Family as they navigate the journey ahead. The firehouse tone is now sounding for Fire Fighter Leonard’s family - will you help us respond to the call with your generosity?
IAFF Local 1563
#helpgregbattleALS
#IAFFbrothergregleonard
Greg Leonard is a Professional Fire Fighter in Anne Arundel County Maryland and a member of IAFF Local 1563. A front-line worker throughout the pandemic, he has gone from working his 24 hour shift in a demanding job to needing assistance completing life tasks in a matter of weeks.
Greg is 32 years old and married to his beloved wife Abby with whom he shares two sons, 3 year old Kip and 5 year old Dash. Fellow Fire Fighters share that Greg is a huge asset to their shift - always eager to learn, train, and teach others.
When the firehouse tones sound, he and his fellow Fire Fighters immediately respond to citizens who may be in the fight of their lives - possibly someone you love and care about.
Greg is now in the fight of his life. At the end of January, Greg developed muscle weakness and decreased grip strength in his right hand, prompting him to go through 2 months of physical therapy. With no improvement, he was initially referred to an orthopedic. Greg’s visits to multiple physicians and extensive testing in an attempt to identify the cause of his continuing and progressive symptoms did not produce any solutions. After seeing multiple neurologists, as well as a 2-day visit at NIH in Bethesda where Greg went through 16 hours of testing, he was ultimately diagnosed with the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease on March 2, 2021. ALS is a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Medication and therapy can slow ALS and reduce discomfort, but there is no cure.
Greg’s family says that his spirits remain high, but each day brings new challenges. Just six week ago, he was working his grueling 24 hour shift as a Professional Fire Fighter. Things are much different for Greg today. His wife Abby recently brought him to his former place of work, Station 9 - Harwood Lothian, for them to have dinner with his fire family and share some smiles. Greg’s wife Abby joked, “You Fire Fighters are always asking how you can help. Well, Greg doesn’t like how I cut his dinner bites - you can handle that job tonight!” In just six short weeks, Greg has gone from pulling a line on his shift to needing help eating his dinner.
The road ahead for Greg, Abby, and the boys is unpredictable. In the coming weeks, the family will encounter significant needs and obstacles including countless trips to the doctor that will grow increasingly difficult as his mobility erodes, necessary modifications to the family home such as ramps and bathroom access, treatment and medication expenses, and childcare needs. Greg is not currently able to work, and Abby’s ability to work may be impacted as Greg’s care needs continue to increase. Estimates are that in the first year alone, medical and life costs exceed six figures for the ALS patient. Ultimately, support for Abby and the boys will be necessary.
As a Fire Fighter, Greg has selflessly given his all to the community he swore to protect. Your generous donations will go directly to the Leonard Family as they navigate the journey ahead. The firehouse tone is now sounding for Fire Fighter Leonard’s family - will you help us respond to the call with your generosity?
IAFF Local 1563
Organizer and beneficiary
Joe Addivinola
Organizer
Millersville, MD
Abby Leonard
Beneficiary