Join us in supporting Michael Manthorpe's fight against ALS

Hi everyone. I started this GoFundMe for Michael Manthorpe who is bravely confronting the challenges of ALS while maintaining a remarkable, positive attitude. Michael, a well-known individual and family therapist, began his counselling career in Quinte in 1987 and retired last year after nearly four decades of service that has left a lasting impact on so many lives.

Michael’s career encompassed a diversity of helping roles. He was a therapist and counsellor with several family service agencies in the Quinte area. In 1995, he saw a need and acquired 2 Trillium grants to create the Community Partners for Success organization to assist young mothers and families in Quinte West. For a number of years, he counselled teens on-site at several local high schools. While doing so, he developed the popular “Success With Your Teen” parent support program that he delivered regularly for 16 years. Michael was also the clinical manager at Counselling Services of Belleville and District, providing supervision to agency workers for several years. In 2002 Michael joined the teaching faculty at Loyalist College as a professor in the Social Service Worker Program until his retirement from the College in 2018. For over a decade, he also co-produced the Cogeco TV show called “Family Matters.” Despite working full-time in his various day-time roles, Michael saw the need to provide counselling and therapy support to individuals and couples who could not attend day-time appointments and for nearly thirty years he provided evening and weekend sessions. The practice shifted to full-time when he retired from teaching until 2023.

Michael’s commitment to the wellbeing of children, youth and families went beyond his clinical counselling efforts. He also made time for volunteer work on local Boards of Directors, Advisory Groups and for public speaking to parent gatherings and other professionals working with families. His tireless work on behalf of individuals, couples and families has been a testament to his passion for helping others. Even beyond retirement in 2023, Michael’s dedication to serve hasn't slowed down, as he continues to mentor others to serve our community. 

In 2022 as Michael was moving toward full retirement, he began pursuing specialized medical testing to determine the source of the physical symptoms he had been experiencing for the previous year. In March 2023, he received a confirmed diagnosis of ALS at the Ottawa Neuromuscular Centre.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or motor neuron disease) is a disease that progressively paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles of the body break down, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. ALS is not contagious. There is no cure for ALS and few treatment options for the majority of people living with the disease. Approximately 80 per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of being diagnosed. ALS can cost a family upwards of $150,000 to $250,000, including the cost of treatment, care, and equipment needs, as well as the income families lose when people living with ALS and family caregivers stop working. (ALS Society of Canada )

As Michael’s condition progresses, he’s in need of medical devices and support to maintain his quality of life. Recently, he had to install a stairlift ($18,000) in order to remain in his home, and special leg braces ($750) to allow him to continue walking with his walker. Other devices will soon be necessary to ensure his comfort and well-being. I am asking for your support to assist with expenses that will arise as Michael continues his journey with ALS.

Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a huge difference and will be a way for all of us to show Michael the same kindness and compassion he’s shared with so many over the years.

Thank you for considering being a part of this effort to uplift and assist Michael during this time.