Paul Kress

In November 2022, Paul Kress received a diagnosis of ALS. This diagnosis would drastically change the course of his life and that of his family.

In the summer of 2022, Paul started experiencing muscle twitches in his upper body. At first it seemed they were a non-issue but when Paul started losing strength in his hands, further tests pointed to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – otherwise known as ALS. ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. People with ALS lose their ability to walk, talk, eat and eventually breathe. Since there is no definitive test for ALS, other diseases had to be ruled out first, especially Waldenstrom’s lymphoma – which Paul’s Dad has and is treatable. Unfortunately all further testing indicated ALS. Paul got the official diagnosis in early November 2022 and began standard treatment right away. Paul is a union electrician so his hands are his lifeline. Much to Paul’s disappointment, he had to retire in December 2022, several years earlier than planned.

ALS has robbed Paul of so many of the things that he enjoyed in life - his livelihood as an electrician, fishing with his son Kyle, longs walks with his wife Amy, and helping at his church. Paul and Amy's daughter Kayla recently got married in October and thankfully Paul was able to participate with the help of family and friends. He and Amy also recently became grandparents to daughter Kersten’s twin boys, Zach and Zayn. Paul’s condition has progressed rapidly this past summer. He is at the point where he needs to use a wheelchair in order to leave the house. He has an electric wheelchair which has special features that he desperately needs to maintain some independence. Paul’s family needs a wheelchair accessible van in order to be able to transport him and is looking to raise money for that purpose as well as cover various medical expenses, such as home care and medical equipment. The vans cost close to $90,000 new but the Kress family is hoping to find a used one for $35,000-$50,000. Your donation, big or small, will go towards the wheelchair accessible van needed for Paul as well as help cover

Paul’s family doesn’t know how many moments, big or small, they have left together. But including him in as much as possible means everything to his family. They hope more than anything to keep him active and involved, improving his quality of life. Thank you for helping us with this wish.

(Amy Melaragno is a friend of Amy & Paul's and created this fundraiser on behalf of them - and for all of us who want to help, in any way, to ease the burden of this horrible diagnosis)