**Put together by Team Webster on behalf of Tammy.**

For those of you that don’t know, Tammy was diagnosed with ALS in 2014. ALS also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive and fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. There are currently no known cures for ALS but science keeps advancing and developing new treatments.

Tammy is now a 10 year ALS WARRIOR! November 13, 2024 marked 10 years in her ALS journey. But over the past year her needs have greatly changed. In March 2024, Tammy was admitted to Howard County's ICU with pneumonia. She had to have a tracheostomy and now relies on a ventilator to breathe. She is also receiving all of her nutritional support through a feeding tube.

Tammy currently resides at Lorien Columbia Nursing Home. She is confined to her bed and only able to get up a couple of days a week. Because she can't fully communicate, her 78 year old mother, Joyce, has stayed with her and sleeps in a geriatric chair every night.

Tammy desperately wants to come home. She wants to be around family and her dog. She wants to enjoy the simple pleasures of getting out of bed every day, moving through her house in her power wheelchair and go outside whenever she likes.

Tammy has health insurance but it doesn't cover everything. Unfortunately, the expenses for such critical 24/7 in-home care is very expensive. And there are several important things that are not covered. She needs a nurse to come in a couple of times during the week and a daily caregiver to help with activities of daily living. We are trying to help Tammy get around and be able to live as "normal" as possible with this disease and her vent. She also has a power wheelchair that needs a few upgrades. It is six years old and her insurance only covers part of the repairs. She is also looking to get a wheelchair accessible van to get back and forth to appointments and activities that she would like to resume once she is settled back at home.

Tammy has applied to numerous long term home health programs for assistance in coming home. She either isn't qualified or there is a very long waiting list.

We are reaching out to you, loved ones, friends, family, anyone who can find it in their heart to help us get Tammy home so she can stay happy and healthy while she continues to fight this disease with her vent. We are all praying for a cure. We want Tammy to be with us for as long as she can.

Your generosity and kindness is appreciated more than you could ever know.

God Bless you and thank you for your support!

To learn more about Tammy and Team Webster, follow the links. You find a recent article on Tammy and a couple of ALS Walks during the pandemic.

Team Webster ALS Walk 2020

Team Webster ALS Walk 2021