17 Years Coping with ALS
Donation protected
Here’s a picture of the strongest, most resilient, intelligent and surprisingly contended man I know. This is my father and hero Mike Caputo; he has ALS.
I was 4 years old when he was diagnosed with this gruesome disease, back in 1998. It’s been 17 long and dreary years. I don’t think there’s anything more difficult than watching a loved one’s condition regress right in front of your eyes. It’s even more difficult when you realize that they’re stronger than you in accepting this bitter reality and coping with it.
My dad is 52 years old now, he was 35 when he was given the news that would go on to change our lives. Back in his day, he worked in construction. There was not a weight he could not lift, not a job around the house he could not do. His strength, be it in his physique or in his personality, gave me a sense of reassurance that everything would always be okay, as long as he was around. I looked up to him in every way; he was my hero, my idol.
You can imagine how difficult it is for a 10-year-old to see his superman confined to a wheel chair. It wasn’t easy coping with the fact that my dad was given 3-5 years to live. It was even harder watching all my friends being picked up from school and dropped off at soccer practice by their dads. It was okay though; I had something that the other kids didn’t have. While my father may not be able to kick a ball around with me, or take me fishing on long weekends, he is able to show me the true meaning of strength, and give me a motivational drive that many others lack.
This is the exact virtue that has put my dad through the past 17 years of suffering.
Now it’s one thing to be able to find the fortitude to cope with your own problems, but it’s another thing to go out of your way and help others do the same. In realizing his peculiar ability to find the silver lining in the most difficult of situations, my father got involved with ALS Canada. For his efforts and contributions, he was nominated to sit on the board of directors of the Toronto chapter, and is currently moderating monthly meetings for other patients with ALS at sunnybrook hospital in Toronto. For those of you who attended the ALS Walk on June 27th, you may recognize my dad as the patron who led the walk in his wheelchair.
The reason I’m reaching out to you today is because I believe my dad deserves to be looked after in the same sense he has looked after others. 17 strenuous years were not enough to efface his beautiful smile that speaks of his strength. It’s getting more and more difficult now; the disease is progressing rapidly. I am not ready to see him give up, there’s only so much he can endure.
We heard of alternative treatments that are said to hamper the disease’s progression. Doctors recommended chelation therapy for residual lead traces found in his body from back in his working days. We were also referred to Dr. Fernando in Cuba, a private practitioner who administers acupuncture therapy to eradicate the pain and tenderness in his muscles.
My family jumped at the first opportunity we had at exploring these options. I was young when my dad started going to Cuba, back in 1999, and as much as twice or three times a year. Recently, however, it has become more and more difficult for us to travel there with my father – the financial burdens have become too heavy, and it’s becoming very difficult for my father to endure long flights. My family and I also bought him a wheelchair-accessible van that can transport him to and from the clinics for his chelation therapy. We are doing everything in our hands to help him, but there is only so much a 20 year, his sister and close relatives can do.
My father has been doing a lot better these past couple of months. His face radiates colour once again. I am certain of the effectiveness of these alternative treatments, both in the physiological and psychological senses. Seeing my father’s condition rectify is my sole intent in life, and I will keep doing all it takes to insure that that this persists.
I’m reaching out to you today because my family has hit rock bottom. We can no longer afford any of the treatments that have proved to ameliorate my father’s suffering. I dread waking up one day knowing my father, of all people who deserve to be looked after, did not receive the care he’s entitled to, to say the least, because my family and I failed to come up with the necessary financial means. Any contribution, small or large, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your consideration, thoughts, and prayers.
Anthony Caputo
I was 4 years old when he was diagnosed with this gruesome disease, back in 1998. It’s been 17 long and dreary years. I don’t think there’s anything more difficult than watching a loved one’s condition regress right in front of your eyes. It’s even more difficult when you realize that they’re stronger than you in accepting this bitter reality and coping with it.
My dad is 52 years old now, he was 35 when he was given the news that would go on to change our lives. Back in his day, he worked in construction. There was not a weight he could not lift, not a job around the house he could not do. His strength, be it in his physique or in his personality, gave me a sense of reassurance that everything would always be okay, as long as he was around. I looked up to him in every way; he was my hero, my idol.
You can imagine how difficult it is for a 10-year-old to see his superman confined to a wheel chair. It wasn’t easy coping with the fact that my dad was given 3-5 years to live. It was even harder watching all my friends being picked up from school and dropped off at soccer practice by their dads. It was okay though; I had something that the other kids didn’t have. While my father may not be able to kick a ball around with me, or take me fishing on long weekends, he is able to show me the true meaning of strength, and give me a motivational drive that many others lack.
This is the exact virtue that has put my dad through the past 17 years of suffering.
Now it’s one thing to be able to find the fortitude to cope with your own problems, but it’s another thing to go out of your way and help others do the same. In realizing his peculiar ability to find the silver lining in the most difficult of situations, my father got involved with ALS Canada. For his efforts and contributions, he was nominated to sit on the board of directors of the Toronto chapter, and is currently moderating monthly meetings for other patients with ALS at sunnybrook hospital in Toronto. For those of you who attended the ALS Walk on June 27th, you may recognize my dad as the patron who led the walk in his wheelchair.
The reason I’m reaching out to you today is because I believe my dad deserves to be looked after in the same sense he has looked after others. 17 strenuous years were not enough to efface his beautiful smile that speaks of his strength. It’s getting more and more difficult now; the disease is progressing rapidly. I am not ready to see him give up, there’s only so much he can endure.
We heard of alternative treatments that are said to hamper the disease’s progression. Doctors recommended chelation therapy for residual lead traces found in his body from back in his working days. We were also referred to Dr. Fernando in Cuba, a private practitioner who administers acupuncture therapy to eradicate the pain and tenderness in his muscles.
My family jumped at the first opportunity we had at exploring these options. I was young when my dad started going to Cuba, back in 1999, and as much as twice or three times a year. Recently, however, it has become more and more difficult for us to travel there with my father – the financial burdens have become too heavy, and it’s becoming very difficult for my father to endure long flights. My family and I also bought him a wheelchair-accessible van that can transport him to and from the clinics for his chelation therapy. We are doing everything in our hands to help him, but there is only so much a 20 year, his sister and close relatives can do.
My father has been doing a lot better these past couple of months. His face radiates colour once again. I am certain of the effectiveness of these alternative treatments, both in the physiological and psychological senses. Seeing my father’s condition rectify is my sole intent in life, and I will keep doing all it takes to insure that that this persists.
I’m reaching out to you today because my family has hit rock bottom. We can no longer afford any of the treatments that have proved to ameliorate my father’s suffering. I dread waking up one day knowing my father, of all people who deserve to be looked after, did not receive the care he’s entitled to, to say the least, because my family and I failed to come up with the necessary financial means. Any contribution, small or large, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your consideration, thoughts, and prayers.
Anthony Caputo
Organizer
Anthony Caputo
Organizer
North York, ON