Help Laura McLemore Fight ALS

Hi, my name is Meghan Griffith and I am raising money for my mom, Laura McLemore, as she fights against ALS.

ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease) is a nasty degenerative disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the brain to lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement. What starts as minor muscle tingles or cramps eventually becomes totally paralyzing, causing patients to lose the ability to eat, speak, and eventually breathe.

My mom has always been a solid rock in my family. Her faith has inspired her to give back to her community and help others whenever possible, no matter the cost. She’s always been a problem solver, a planner, and caregiver to our elderly relatives. She’s active in her church, and until recently played cello in the Friends Community Orchestra.

Laura dedicated her career to public education and providing opportunities for young people to learn and grow. She spent 20 years in the classroom as a teacher and 9 years as a public school principal. Many of her schools were in disadvantaged neighborhoods and Laura helped those kids overcome serious challenges to advance their education. In addition to this, Laura spent 10 years in the Teacher Education program at Newman University, helping equip thousands of adult learners to teach.

Mom retired in the spring of 2021 and was hoping to finally relax and spend time with my dad, Ken, and our family. She had dreams of traveling and writing. Sadly, ALS has quickly taken its toll. Mom can no longer walk without assistance. Her speech has been drastically changed, and she’s already experiencing difficulty in eating and swallowing.

The funds we are raising will be used to help with the significant financial impact of this ALS diagnosis. We are raising money for medical expenses not covered by Medicare. We will also use the donations to purchase essential accessibility equipment such as a power chair and to create accessible bathroom facilities. As the ALS continues to progress, we will use the donations to purchase a hospital bed and essential communication equipment that will allow Mom to stay in her home and communicate her needs as her condition worsens.

ALS is cruel in that it is often diagnosed as a person reaches retirement age, progresses very quickly, and is always fatal. It’s especially hard to navigate these life changes while also worrying about how to pay for accessibility and treatments that may give the final years some comfort. Your generous donation will help bring some peace to Laura as she fights this battle. Thank you.