Support for Gary Pitcher's journey with ALS

On Nov. 2, 2022, our family received the devastating news that Gary had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.

In April, Gary, an avid outdoorsman with no medical history at all, suddenly started experiencing symptoms of weakness in his arm and shoulder, which he attributed to a fall he had while harvesting firewood. These symptoms worsened, and his speech quickly began to be affected. Many of us suspected he may have had a stroke; however, subsequent CT scans showed no signs of stroke. Gary, a very hardworking seasonal worker in the seafood processing sector, somehow forced himself to work through the busy production season until August, determined to provide for his family. We are thankful for the many coworkers who supported him at work this summer as he struggled to work with the use of one arm and worsening symptoms.

Finally, in late October, during an appointment with specialists, Gary was immediately admitted to the hospital and spent a week of extensive testing and confirmation of what was happening. Unfortunately, our worst fear was realized with the ALS diagnosis. While the news was not welcomed, finally knowing what was happening allows us as a family and friends to come together as a support network for his family and to ensure Gary’s comfort and care needs are met both now and as those needs may change.

Like many areas of rural Newfoundland, the primary industry is seasonal fishery-related, where folks work extensively during the Spring and Summer months but rely on EI benefits to bridge the gap until the following season. Gary and Shelley worked most of their careers together at Quinlan’s as seafood processors. Unfortunately, there are no company benefits such as health insurance or disability benefits for such positions. Raising children, having a mortgage, a vehicle, and increased everyday expenses don’t always leave money for personal insurance. Their son Alexander started a college program the same day his dad was diagnosed, and their daughter Sarah is in her graduating year of high school with dreams that her dad can dance with her at prom.

Many friends, co-workers and family members have reached out directly to Shelley and Gary or other members of our family, asking if there were something they could do to help or wondering whether we would be hosting any fundraisers. We have asked Gary and Shelley for their approval to create this Go Fund Me account on his behalf, and they reluctantly agreed, as they are pretty humble people and not the type to ask for help or expect charity.

Since Gary’s diagnosis in early November, he’s had many appointments and trips to St. John’s, ranging from physio, occupational therapy, pain management, dietary, etc. His need to travel for ongoing medical care will continue. Without medical insurance coverage, there will likely be added costs for drug therapies available for ALS patients, as well as medical supplies, orthopedic aids, nutritional supplements, etc. With EI sick benefits and caregiver benefits having a short duration of availability, Gary and Shelley will both soon see a dramatic loss of income. We want to ensure that they can concentrate on Gary’s care and comfort and enjoy quality time together as a family instead of spending that precious time stressing over finances.

This Go-Fund-Me platform is meant for any of you who might wish to contribute financially in this way. We also ask for your continued prayers and well wishes for Gary and his family. Many people have offered assistance already, whether monetary, a meal, a gas card, a listening ear, a prayer, or well wishes. For that, we thank you so much. It is heartwarming to see how the kindness of the human spirit shines so bright and can make the darkest of days so much brighter.

Gary’s wish is not to let this disease define him and that it not be our topic of discussion with him. Bike loads of wood, big moose, fat seabirds, the weather forecast and good times spent with family are far healthier topics he'd like to continue to chat about! And yes, you can still say hi to him on Facebook!

In Gary’s words, whatever should come, “it’s all up to the Man upstairs.”

Blessings and thanks from the Pitcher and Eddy families.