Stand with Steve - Steve Williams Medical Fund
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Steve Williams is a dedicated family man. He has been married to Jenny for 19 years and is a father to three children. Wyatt 16, Walker 14, and Austyn 11. In addition to husband and father he is also a son, a brother, an uncle, nephew, and cousin. He is a friend, a boss, and a mentor. An outdoorsman who loves to hunt, hike, and fish and an avid sports fan. Steve is also a local business owner and Gulf War Air Force Veteran. For the past 10 years Steve has passionately volunteered his time as a Little League baseball coach for Walker and his friends. His passion and enthusiasm for his players and the sport took his team all the way to 2nd place in the state championship game in 2018.
For nearly a year Steve has been dealing with slowly worsening neurological symptoms. What began as slightly slurred speech progressed to labored speaking all together, difficulty eating, twitching and cramping muscles, and weakening hand and leg muscles. While all tell tale signs of ALS, the family prayed for a different diagnosis. ALS can be difficult to diagnose as there is not one specific test for the disease, but rather a process of elimination of other conditions/diseases. On average a diagnosis comes 9 months after initial symptoms appear. After spending upwards of $20,000 out of pocket on various lab and bloodwork, MRIs, lumbar punctures, and an EMG/ENT, a diagnosis was finally given. Late October the Williams family was given the devastating news. Steve was diagnosed with ALS. ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also known as Lou Gherig's disease, after the baseball player who was also diagnosed with the disease in the 1930s.
ALS is a relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disease. People with ALS experience a progressive decline in muscle function and strength as motor neurons - the nerve cells that control muscle movement - die off. This means that people with ALS slowly lose the ability to walk, speak, eat, and even breathe on their own. As the muscles become smaller and smaller the body becomes paralyzed. Patients are typically given a 2-5 year life expectancy.
There is no cure for ALS. An exact cause for the disease is unknown, but we do know that military veterans are twice as likely to develop the disease. Regardless the branch or having served during war or peace time. Although Gulf War Air Force veterans like Steve currently make up the largest group of veteran patients. Sadly, the current available treatment does not halt or reverse disease progression in ALS. However, there is hope on the horizon. There is a lot of research being done and even several clinical trials in progress pointing to promising results using stem cells.
While the Williams family holds out hope and waits for VA assistance, they are living without paychecks and burdened with the debt of past medical expenses. They are focusing on a positive daily outlook day to day and enjoy finding the blessings in everything. Steve has given to his country, to his family, and his community. Please consider donating to this family as they fight for Steve's life and champion for all ALS patients and awareness for the disease.
For nearly a year Steve has been dealing with slowly worsening neurological symptoms. What began as slightly slurred speech progressed to labored speaking all together, difficulty eating, twitching and cramping muscles, and weakening hand and leg muscles. While all tell tale signs of ALS, the family prayed for a different diagnosis. ALS can be difficult to diagnose as there is not one specific test for the disease, but rather a process of elimination of other conditions/diseases. On average a diagnosis comes 9 months after initial symptoms appear. After spending upwards of $20,000 out of pocket on various lab and bloodwork, MRIs, lumbar punctures, and an EMG/ENT, a diagnosis was finally given. Late October the Williams family was given the devastating news. Steve was diagnosed with ALS. ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also known as Lou Gherig's disease, after the baseball player who was also diagnosed with the disease in the 1930s.
ALS is a relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disease. People with ALS experience a progressive decline in muscle function and strength as motor neurons - the nerve cells that control muscle movement - die off. This means that people with ALS slowly lose the ability to walk, speak, eat, and even breathe on their own. As the muscles become smaller and smaller the body becomes paralyzed. Patients are typically given a 2-5 year life expectancy.
There is no cure for ALS. An exact cause for the disease is unknown, but we do know that military veterans are twice as likely to develop the disease. Regardless the branch or having served during war or peace time. Although Gulf War Air Force veterans like Steve currently make up the largest group of veteran patients. Sadly, the current available treatment does not halt or reverse disease progression in ALS. However, there is hope on the horizon. There is a lot of research being done and even several clinical trials in progress pointing to promising results using stem cells.
While the Williams family holds out hope and waits for VA assistance, they are living without paychecks and burdened with the debt of past medical expenses. They are focusing on a positive daily outlook day to day and enjoy finding the blessings in everything. Steve has given to his country, to his family, and his community. Please consider donating to this family as they fight for Steve's life and champion for all ALS patients and awareness for the disease.
Organizer and beneficiary
Beth Blackwell
Organizer
Springfield, OR
Jenny Williams
Beneficiary