Help Kathy Persons Fight ALS

My heart is so heavy thinking about Kathy Persons and telling this story. Kathy is suffering from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. I'm not unexposed to witnessing illness and disease but this one is particularly hard to imagine. Kathy is burdened with no use of her body and cannot speak, yet she is aware of everything. The girl who once was the perfect example of being fit, was always up for a physical challenge and was an instructor for every group fitness class you can name, can now only watch our physical efforts and imagine what it was once like. I just cannot imagine. I thought I learned about ALS when we all did the Ice Bucket Challenge but I was wrong. The Ice Bucket Challenge was fun, ALS is not.

I don't know them well, but when I see her family caring for her I am reminded of what it's like to have been given that glorious strength. I am reminded of how, instead of feeling burdened with the responsibility, you just feel so grateful for the opportunity to be there with your loved one.  And I am reminded of the silent prayers. The ones behind the strength, the caring and the brightness you try to bring to your suffering beloved. The prayers that cried out for a cure, for a miracle, pleading for things to be different. 'Please find a cure.  Why isn't there a cure?'

In our effort to help,  I remind myself that we are not just raising money to help with expenses, we are also raising money so that Kathy can know her family has some peace. I am fortunate that when my own mother was ill, she was able to express her feelings and from her I learned that yes, the sick want to be healed but they also long for peace for their loved ones. Kathy's family is amazing, loving and willingly by her side. They are kind, strong people who have touched the hearts of many but they can't do this alone. I know you will share my feeling that we need to let people like Kathy know we love them and that in some way she touched our lives.

For me, she was the girl on my fitness circuit. I met her at the Y in 2000 where we both worked at that time. Her Zumba class was the first one I participated in and where I first heard of it. (That was back when everyone was asking, 'What's this Zumba thing?' and we were all pronouncing it wrong.) Kathy was the girl that absolutely loved fitness. She's the pretty girl that looks like Victoria Principal.  She's always had such a sweet, soothing voice and a kind spirit.

There's nothing we can do to change things, though I pray. But we can do one simple thing-we can help with this fundraiser. My mother once told me 'You never don't know someone well enough to help or get involved or show them you care.' I love that. And at my mothers time of fighting for her life she didn't care how well someone knew her or how long it had been since she had last seen them, it just was nice to know that people did care and loved her as one of God's children. Can we imagine if this were us or our family? I truly believe if you've been blessed with the God given ability to do something then you should use it for good. We all need help sometimes. We all need to feel the Love of others.

Thanks so much,

Sandy Davenport