Support Mark Erickson's Battle Against ALS

Janette Barnes is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Jennifer Erickson.

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This will be the hardest thing I have ever had to put into words. Three years ago when I was 55, I started feeling tired and noticed I had some shoulder weakness. I thought it might be from heavy lifting I had done recently in my garage. However it didn’t go away and my weakness got noticeably worse.

My wife and I began a journey to find out what was wrong. I have gone through many tests. It started with my family doctor. His results sent me to three days of testing at the University of Minnesota which included EMG's, lots of lab work, CT scans, and lumbar punctures. We hoped for any diagnosis that would exclude ALS but eventually I was given the frightening news that I indeed have ALS.

My disease has progressed quickly. I have always been active in sports. In middle school I participated in competitive swimming, hockey and wrestling. I graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in nursing. While attending UND, I was an assistant wrestling coach. Needless to say, I have always been an active guy. I had enjoyed golfing and playing baseball and being active in all the activities my two kids were involved with. Another of my interests was carpentry. I enjoyed making things with my hands and made several beautiful pieces of furniture. I have had to sell my power tools as I'm not able to use my arms anymore.

This disease has progressed so rapidly, I am no longer able to work. All of the things we take for granted are things I am no longer able to do. I cannot do any of my personal cares like bathing, grooming. brushing my teeth, shaving, toileting, dressing myself,and eating. I have a feeding tube which means I am no longer able to take any nourishment by mouth. I need to be suctioned multiple times per day to prevent me from choking.

As I get weaker, each week presents another challenge and more expenses. We are looking into obtaining a special wheelchair accessible van so my wife can get me safely to my doctor's appointments, church and all the places I need to go. Walking is becoming increasingly difficult for me to do independently so someone always needs to be by my side in case I fall. Soon I will be totally dependent on being in a wheelchair so that may be another expense for us.

My wife recently took a 4 week family leave from her job. She is working on developing a care plan for me. She's currently trying to continue working at her job so we have an income. Her current plan is to work mornings and come home in the afternoon to provide my care for the rest of the day. For my wife to be able to work, I need 80 hours of home care per month which insurance doesn't cover. ALS will pay for 18 hours of in home care for me. We will have to try to cover the cost of the other 62 hours which is approximately $2000 per month. We keep trying to stretch her salary to pay for all of the unplanned expenses that insurance does not cover.

My wife has bravely kept up a good front struggling to work and take care of all my needs. Even though all the odds are against me, we continue to have faith in god.With my wife by my side, I will continue my fight against this horrible disease and with your help, I will give it everything I have.We appreciate your help with my Go Fund Me Page and we also appreciate your prayers most of all.