Dear Family and Friends,

After months of gradually losing my ability to walk and stand; being hospitalized for over 30 days in June; being misdiagnosed:

I have recently received the devastating diagnosis of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease: A nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. ALS is a relentless and unforgiving disease robbing individuals of their ability to move, speak, and ultimately, breathe. Most people with ALS are given 2-5 years to live after their diagnosis, and there is no known cause or cure for the disease. Along with the physical loss, the emotional trauma on both the individual and their family are also extreme. The cause is unknown. The main symptom is muscle weakness. Medication and therapy can slow ALS and reduce discomfort, but there's no cure.

Accepting the loss of my physical ability has been a huge emotional challenge. Anyone who knows me will be aware of how I’ve lived a life of physicality.

Whether it was losing my ability to drive, walk up stairs, mowing the lawn or to take the trash out - the quick decline of my ability to ‘do’ has been an enormous physical and emotional challenge for both me and my wife.

ALS has robbed me the opportunity to continue working as an Educator. It saddens me that I will not be able to walk into a classroom and continue to make a difference in a child’s life. I’m grateful that I was able to work in Education for the last 25 years both in Fiji and California.

After much thought we made the difficult decision to ask for Your Help so I can continue to Live the best possible life with ALS.

We are asking for donations towards Patient Transfer Medical Equipment not covered by insurance; Equipment thats portable and can be taken with us in the car. Modifications to our bathroom so it’s wheelchair accessible and I am able to continue to some daily tasks independently. Funding in-home care that is not covered by insurance. And a Mobility Van which I can take to and from doctors appointments and other activities.

We are deeply thankful for your support and appreciate anything you can donate or share our story to help us in our journey to live this unforgiving and relentless disease. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We will provide timely updates here on the GoFundMe campaign to let you know how my journey with ALS is progressing.