Julia Albrecht's ALS Journey

It is with such a heavy heart that I share that Julia was diagnosed in May of 2020 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease most closely associated with baseball player Lou Gehrig. ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which connect to all the muscles in the body, progressively causing complete paralysis. There is no cure and it’s usually fatal within 2-5 years. It’s a heart-wrenching prognosis for one of the most beautiful people I know.

For those of you blessed to know the Albrecht family – and that’s probably most parents with kids in Orono who play sports or are in band – they personify compassion, selflessness and service. While raising their own fabulous kids, Owen (age 20, a junior at St. Thomas), Shea (age 17, a senior at Orono High School) and Phoebe (age 16, a junior at Orono), Chris and Julia have made extraordinary contributions to our whole community. For example, they made time to volunteer coach for over 15 years (softball, baseball, football); they have run the concession stands for 4 years during home football games to raise money for Band Boosters; they’re board members for Orono Football and Orono Club Soccer; active volunteers for wrestling, soccer, band and drama; and Julia was hockey locker room mom, lacing up all the kids’ skates. The list goes on. They have never been observers in their children’s lives (and in all of our kids’ lives). Rather, they are what we all wanted to be but never found as much time, energy, skill or desire to do so. They have given so much to this community and now it’s our turn to help them.

As you can imagine, they will have significant costs for medical care, equipment, and home health care. Julia can no longer work as her disease is fast progressing. She must now rely on a wheelchair and on Chris for all of her needs. Chris is now primary caregiver as well as working full-time from home and taking on more of the parenting and household duties. This is such an overwhelming time for the whole family.

Here are just some of the needs that we would like to raise funds for:

·         Wheelchair ramp access to their home
·         Convert a kitchen alcove into a main-floor bedroom
·         Add a wheelchair accessible shower to the first-floor bathroom
·         Electric wheelchair
·         Respite care to support both Julia and Chris – supporting his self-care will 
          support the whole family’s well-being
·         Wheelchair accessible van or rental
·         College funds for the awesome Albrecht kids

We’ve all been blessed in some way by the Albrecht family, and we are better for it. It’s our turn to show them the grace, love and support that they need as they move forward through this unfathomable journey. Please find it in your heart to give today. If you are unable to give, please know that your prayers for Julia and family are appreciated just the same.

And please share this post on your social media and within your community of friends and colleagues who might be able to give as well. Thank you in advance for your love and support of this incredible family.