<div>Hello Everyone!
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<div>We’re reaching out for help to make life a little easier and safer for <strong>Casey Clark</strong>, a proud <strong>U.S. Air Force veteran</strong>, loving husband, and father who has bravely faced <strong>ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) </strong>for the past several years.
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<div>✈️ <strong>A Life of Service and Dedication</strong>
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<div>Casey served <strong>24 years</strong> with the <strong>123rd Kentucky Air National Guard</strong>, starting as a C-130 Loadmaster and rising to become a Pilot and Aircraft Commander. Over his career, he flew missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Qatar, dedicating his life to serving others.
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<div>In 2017, he achieved his dream job of flying for <strong>Delta Airlines</strong> as an airline pilot for the Airbus A-320 and eventually worked as an Instructor Pilot.
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<div>While deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in <strong>2018</strong>, Casey began noticing weakness during workouts—struggling to lift weights he once handled easily. Military doctors suspected a neck injury and sent him home for further evaluation.
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<div>After extensive testing at the Emory Brain Health Center and confirmation at the Mayo Clinic, doctors <strong>diagnosed him with Limb-Onset ALS</strong>, a form that begins with muscle weakness in the limbs. For Casey, it started in his arms and eventually spread throughout his body.
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<div>Due to his diagnosis, Casey could no longer fly with the Guard as of 2019, beginning a long five-year process toward medical discharge. 
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<div>For a time, his symptoms progressed slowly—but in <strong>2021</strong>, after contracting COVID-19, his condition advanced more rapidly. Because of this, his hands began limiting his work as a Delta pilot. Delta supported him through a transition to Flight Instructor, where he continued mentoring pilots. He transitioned to disability with Delta that same year and was medically retired from the Air National Guard in June 2024 after 24 years of honorable service.
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<div><strong>What Is ALS?</strong>
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<div><strong>Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)</strong> is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, gradually causing muscle weakness and loss of control throughout the body.
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<div>It eventually impacts the ability to move, speak, eat, and breathe. While <strong>there is no known cure</strong>, ongoing research and alternative approaches continue to offer hope.
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<div><strong>Veterans are roughly twice as likely to develop ALS</strong> as the general population—possibly due to environmental or chemical exposures and the physical demands of service.
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<div><strong>ALS affects the body but not the mind</strong>. People remain fully aware, which makes the condition both emotionally and physically challenging.
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<div>For Casey, this means he is <strong>completely paralyzed</strong>, with <strong>minimal movement in his legs</strong> and <strong>no use of his arms or hands</strong>. He relies on a <strong>Trilogy breathing machine</strong> for respiratory support and communicates through a <strong>Tobii iPad with eye-gaze technology. </strong>Despite everything, his <strong>humor, wit, and love</strong> for his family remain as strong as ever.
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<div>️✨<strong>Our Family’s Journey</strong>
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<div>Right now, Casey lives at home with his wife, <strong>Lydia</strong>, their two teenage boys <strong>John</strong> and <strong>William</strong>, his sister-in-law <strong>Julia</strong>, and the family’s <strong>three dogs.</strong>
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<div>We are deeply thankful for <strong>Julia</strong>, who moved in at the beginning of 2025 to help care for the boys, manage the household, and look after our pups. Her presence has been a true blessing. Because of her help, the boys have been able to return to a more normal routine—with support for school, activities outside the home, and even cherished visits back to Kentucky to see family.
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<div><strong>Lydia</strong> is also Casey’s primary caregiver. We’re grateful to the VA for providing a daytime home health aide, whose support makes a big difference. Lydia manages all evening and overnight care, every major transfer, and some of the physical tasks during the day that require extra help while the aide is present.
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<div>After more than <strong>four years of full-time caregiving</strong>, Casey now needs assistance multiple times each night, in addition to full support throughout the day. We’ve reached a point where we need to make his care <strong>safer, more sustainable, and more supportive—for him and for those who love him.</strong>
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<div><strong>Why We’re Asking for Help</strong>
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<div>We’re incredibly grateful for all the support we receive from the VA, but there are still key needs that fall outside of coverage. Many of you have asked how you can help—<strong>thank you from the bottom of our hearts.</strong>
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<div>We’ve tried working through the VA SAH (specially adapted housing) modification grant, but the red tape caused our contractor to withdraw. We then explored building a new accessible home, but after five months of delays without approval, we had to stop the process.
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<div>We now need to move forward <strong>on our own</strong> to make these essential modifications so <strong>Casey can stay safe and comfortable at home</strong>. 
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<div><strong>Our Immediate Needs</strong>
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<div>⚡ 1. <strong>Backup Generator</strong> – $18,000–$23,000
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<div>Casey relies on several life-sustaining powered devices:
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<div>• Trilogy breathing machine
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<div>• Portable oxygen concentrator
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<div>• Powered hospital bed
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<div>• Sit-to-stand recliner
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<div>• Tobii eye-gaze communication device
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<div>A <strong>whole-house generator </strong>ensures these stay operational during outages—literally a life-saving investment.
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<div>️ 2. <strong>HVAC System Replacement</strong> – $13,000–$15,000
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<div>Temperature stability is critical for Casey’s breathing and comfort. Our aging system struggles to keep up, especially during extreme weather.
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<div>3. <strong>Accessible Walk-In Tub</strong> + Ceiling-Track Lift – $8,000+
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<div>While Casey can’t step into a tub, we plan to install a ceiling-track Hoyer lift that will lower him into a walk-in tub so he can experience the <strong>therapeutic benefits of warm water, jets, and full immersion.</strong>
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<div>This setup is <strong>safer</strong> for everyone and will replace the shower, which has become increasingly difficult and unsafe.
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<div>️ 4. <strong>Ceiling-Track Hoyer Lift (Partial Funding)</strong>
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<div>We’re <strong>working with the VA</strong> but still expect some out-of-pocket installation costs. A ceiling track Hoyer lift will be installed in the <strong>bathroom</strong>, allowing us to safely transfer Casey from his wheelchair <strong>to the tub or toilet.</strong> Our current floor Hoyer lift doesn't fit in the bathroom, so this new system will made daily care <strong>safer, smoother, more comfortable and less strain</strong> for both Casey and the caregivers.
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<div>5. <strong>Overnight Care Support </strong>– $15,000/year
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<div>We have started the process to hire an<strong> overnight aide</strong> (12-hour shifts, 3–4 nights a week) at about $30/hour. With Lydia being the primary caregiver for evenings and overnights this will give some much needed rest while ensuring Casey has <strong>professional, reliable nighttime assistance</strong>.
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<div>6. <strong>Backyard Fence &amp; Accessibility Upgrades</strong> – $14,000
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<div>This project includes adding a <strong>privacy fence</strong> and improving <strong>landscape accessibility </strong>for Casey’s power wheelchair. Our dream is to create an <strong>outdoor oasis</strong> where he can safely enjoy sunshine and family time.
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<div>In the future, we hope to add a <strong>pool lift</strong> so he can once again experience the joy of being in the salt water pool —a freedom he hasn’t had in years.
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<div><strong>Why Your Support Matters</strong>
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<div>Casey spent 24 years serving his country. He showed up for every mission, every deployment, and <strong>everyone</strong> who needed him.
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<div>Now we’re humbly asking for help so he can continue to <strong>live safely, comfortably, and with dignity at home.</strong>
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<div>Every bit of support helps us build a safer, more stable home for Casey. Whether it’s a <strong>donation or simply sharing our story</strong>, it all makes a meaningful impact. We expect the total cost to be around $80,000, and we’re deeply thankful for every bit of kindness that helps us reach it.
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<div>We’re profoundly grateful to our <strong>family</strong>, <strong>friends</strong>, and Casey’s brothers and sisters in the <strong>Kentucky Air National Guard</strong> for standing beside us. Your compassion and generosity mean more than words can express.
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<div><strong>With love and gratitude,</strong>
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<div><strong> Casey, Lydia, John &amp; William Clark, and Julia Haynes</strong>
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<div>✨ Thank you for helping us create a home that is safer, more peaceful and comfortable for Casey. Every bit of support helps us breathe a little easier. ✨
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<div>If you prefer to <strong>donate directly</strong>, you can also reach us via:
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<div><strong>Zelle</strong>: <a href="https://gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>[email redacted]</strong></a><strong> </strong>(GoFundMe does not allow phone numbers or emails to be posted so please reach out to us for the Zelle link)
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<div><strong>Venmo</strong>: <strong>@Lydia-Clark-18</strong>
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<div>(Please note: these direct options won’t appear in the GoFundMe total, but every bit of help makes a real difference!)
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Support for Veteran Pilot Casey Clark’s ALS Journey

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Still $4,023 to go. Help us build momentum.