My name is Jay M. Futrell, and I served for 20years in the U.S. Air Force as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team chief. After my last deployment to Afghanistan, I returned to Louisiana and was accepted at the LSU, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, from which I graduated in 2013. I have spent the last 12 years increasing my skills in Louisiana Law and have worked for 2 legal groups and was a Hearing Officer in the 21st JDC, tackling divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases.

This past June 2025 I awoke one morning and could not control my legs. I had been losing my balance fairly often prior to this, resulting in a total of 26 falls. My 7 1/2-month pregnant wife took me to North Oaks Hospital in Hammond, LA and I have spent 10 days in different hospitals this year. After every imaginable test had been complete, I was tentatively diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) similar to ALS but not quite as bad. I cannot control my legs or my feet, nor can I work right now. I have not been able to leave our house except for medical appointments for the last 4months.

The VA has been helping me; I have an electric wheelchair and grab bars installed in our home. Before all of this I had a 70% disability rating. I am going through a review, hoping they will increase my disability to 100% so that they will give me a grant for a van, but that may take another year or more.

I am seeking donations to help with the cost of a modified van and for renovations that are necessary on our house. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.