On June 30th, 2014, Todd Carlson got the diagnosis no one expects, and definitely no one wants. His uncharacteristic clumsiness and falling were because of the onset of ALS.

Lois met all Todd’s health challenges and caregiving needs compensated by love and devotion, 24/7 from 2015, until February 28th, 2023, when she broke her leg shoveling snow, requiring surgery and a forced cessation of caring for Todd.

They need our help. Please read below for the full story.

ALS: Lou Gehrig’s Disease

ALS: Always Losing Something

ALS: A devastating neurodegenerative disorder that causes motor neurons in the brain to cease communication with the body.

The person with ALS loses all control of their muscles while retaining mental function, and basically is slowly being buried alive in a failing body. Todd’s physician couldn’t give a detailed prognosis initially, mentioning the average life span with the disease was 2-5 years after onset. But, those of us who know Todd, know he is not average, battling the disease for at least 9 years including the time before diagnosis.

Due to a quickening onset, Todd had to leave his professional life at age 63 because he could no longer walk or hold a pen. Within two years he had lost his ability to speak with any clarity and quickly progressed from a walker to a wheelchair to a power wheelchair. Then, his condition progression plateaued and slowed. While he was suffering the effects of the horrible disease, his strong spirit and smile persevered. He lived looking for the best in every day and when he would hit a low note, his wife and soul mate, Lois would remind him of his many blessings and they both stayed strong meeting the challenges that rose up.

Throughout his disease, Todd’s wife, Lois lived up to the vows of “better or worse, in sickness and in health” and has been his sole caregiver; lifting him daily, bathing him, tending to his personal care, dressing and feeding him by hand or through a feeding tube in his stomach. Most recently she has been managing pressure wounds and leg wounds due to compromised circulation.

Lois met these challenges compensated by love and devotion, 24/7 since 2015, until February 28th, 2023 when she broke her leg shoveling snow, requiring surgery and a forced cessation of caring for Todd.

Todd requires 24-hour care and was moved to a nursing home in early March, for which all expenses are paid out-of-pocket. Since there was no long-term disability insurance for Todd’s condition, Lois felt it was necessary to care for him to protect any assets. The bottom line is now, about $13,000 a month is required each month for Todd’s care alone. Their assets while greatly diminished throughout the years, are minimal but too much for assistance, and will be cleared out in short order by the costs incurred by this situation. We also want Lois to be able to retain their home in the community they love.

Todd & Lois have done their best to maintain the best in bad situations, but are now challenged well beyond their abilities. Todd innate resilience has bucked the odds with his condition, and while he is weak, could very well last for some time. Both Todd and Lois have contributed money, time and talents to their community before this crisis struck them and were more comfortable helping than being helped, but now need to look to receiving help instead of giving

it.