For the last 7-8 years, Paul has been struggling with a hoarse voice and mild throat clearing. Over the last couple of years, those symptoms progressed and new ones emerged. He began having trouble breathing, particularly when drinking water or around irritants (everything from smoke to perfume). Swallowing got more difficult. And his speech began to slur. After lots of doctors’ visits and a trip to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion, Paul has been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that causes the death of motor neurons that help the brain communicate with voluntary muscles like arms, legs, tongue, vocal cords and a host of other muscles. At this point, the only visible symptoms for Paul are in the voice/swallowing/breathing area (called bulbar symptoms). ALS progresses at different rates but eventually impacts the entire body. The average life expectancy is 3-5 years after diagnosis. There are three drugs that are currently prescribed to ALS patients that can slow the disease (slightly), but do not cure it.

If you know Paul and Carisa, you know they don’t back down from a challenge. During their research into the disease, they found a growing group of people with ALS who are successfully fighting the disease. In fact, there are 58 officially documented cases of ALS reversals. Many were in wheelchairs and are now riding bikes and playing golf. Paul and Carisa have a goal of being number 59! A large percentage of those that have reversed their ALS symptoms used functional medicine practices. This site will give some good info on functional medicine (https://functionalmedicine.doctor/), but it focuses on a holistic approach to managing diseases. It includes in-depth testing to find nutritional, hormonal, and other deficiencies in the body and then through diet and supplements gets the body healthy enough that it can heal itself. Instead of treating symptoms, it looks for what’s causing the disease and treats that. Paul and Carisa have partnered with a neurologist in Ozark, MO who is also certified in functional medicine, one of only a few in the country.

Unfortunately, health insurance will cover standard drug treatments, but it does not cover the kind of testing and treatments that functional medicine provides. Over the next year, Paul and Carisa want to embark on a full neurological functional medicine treatment plan ($12,000) and hope to have two stem cell treatments for helping to restore motor neuron cells that have died ($16,000). With travel and other added expenses, the total costs will be $30,000. Would you help Paul and Carisa reach their goal to help fight ALS and become number 59?