Mom's ALS Functional Medicine Treatment

My name is Phillip and I am starting this fundraiser for my mom, Susan, who 5 years ago was diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) a slowly progressing neuromuscular disorder (NMD) that is a close relative of Lou Gehrig's Disease or ALS. More recently, she got some test results back that indicate that her PLS is progressing into ALS, which is far more aggressive and spreads much faster than PLS. Essentially, a wasting disease that leaves patients trapped in a failing body. This fundraiser will hopefully contribute to getting her to a functional medicine facility for a couple of weeks to begin treatments and therapy that may alleviate some of her symptoms and provide her with a higher quality of life (please see the link below).

For the past 5 years, I've seen the woman I've known my whole life slowly decline in her ability to walk, talk, and perform normal daily activities. My mom has always been an adventurer and an explorer, and I credit a lot of my spirit to the love of life and the love of experiences she demonstrated raising me. It didn't matter if it was a road trip from Georgia to Pennsylvania or stopping by a new thrift store on the way back home from the grocery; she always wanted to get out and see the world. Sadly, any spontaneity is hard to come by in terms of travel, as she is now confined to a wheelchair and requires careful planning whenever she goes out. However, she still makes me laugh and smile with her bright personality, sense of humor, and radiant smile. She has not let this disease define her, and yet it defines her daily living.

Unfortunately, as well as government grants, private donations, and medical insurance cover much of her basic medications, they do not cover everything, and if my mom is anything but true to herself, she wants to leave no stone unturned. And regrettably, many experimental therapy or non-palliative care for ALS/PLS is not covered by insurance because the costs don't justify treating what is currently considered a fatal and incurable disease.

Thankfully, there is still progress being made in the field of ALS research and hopefully, a cure is out there. But until then, I hope that you can contribute whatever you can to help her explore treatments that could give her a few more years or regain some muscular functionality.

Your donation would help cover costs associated with a three-week stay at the facility, including lodging, food, transportation, health care, treatment, and lab work.

The facility's name is BodyScience out of Miami, and their website is below, along with a link to ALS information.

Body Science

ALS