MARK REAVIS DURING HIS BATTLE WITH ALS

Mark’s fight with ALS started five years ago. ALS is a progressive disease with no cure. Average lifespan is 2-5 years from symptom onset or diagnosis. It impacts everyone differently with no pattern. For Mark, it was limb onset with his arms, hands, shoulders, and then the ability to walk. It is possible that swallowing challenges and losing his voice could be next. Despite these challenges, Mark keeps smiling and has been an inspiration of courage.

Mark has lost all mobility, which confines him to a wheelchair or to a medical lift recliner. Mark needs someone to do all the daily tasks we take for granted. Mark recently had a feeding tube surgically put in, timed to his respiratory system managing anesthesia, as well as giving him options of feeding and staying hydrated. The feeding tube requires daily cleaning and flushing.

ALS has neurologically impacted his muscle mass atrophying throughout his body. This does not keep him from feeling human touch or physical pain.

CAN YOU IMAGINE for a moment what it would be like to have ALS at Mark’s level? Mark cannot move his arms, legs, fingers, nor walk. For any need or want, he must ask for help. For any itch or mosquito on him – he must ask for help. To eat, he must be fed. For water or a beverage or coffee, someone must bring it to him with a straw to reach by mouth. He is reliant on others for shower and other bathroom assistance, including dental and personal hygiene, or toilet needs. These are needs around the clock, every day.

WHY ARE WE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP

ALS is an extremely expensive disease to fight requiring special costly equipment and care. Mark does gratefully receive support from ALS groups. The help he gets does not cover everyday expenses. This does not enable him to live out the time he has left without financial worry and added stress.

Mark’s struggle with ALS has exhausted all savings. The average cost of all ALS patients’ medical care is approximately $200,000 per year- especially in the last two years of life when they require around the clock care.

Disability income and other financial help does not meet monthly living expenses. IHSS (In Home Support Services) caregivers are limited to approximately 8 hours a day, which would typically be scheduled / or replaced by private caregivers at a personal cost.

Mark is close to losing the mobility wheelchair van needed to get him to and from medical appointments, to the ALS Clinic in Loma Linda or simply to get him out and break up being confined. Rent, utilities and other living expenses are difficult to meet.

No one likes to ask for help and Mark is no different. He does, however, urgently need help. Donations will go to the mobility wheelchair van, basic monthly living expenses, private caregivers to fill in when needed, and the monthly electric to operate and charge all the medical devices. Wheelchair van payments are $1,248 / monthly. State Farm charges $311/month for insurance.

Thank you in advance for your help.

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For any additional information, please contact us. Details or answers to questions are available.

* We are extremely grateful to the ALS Association of North Texas, and to ALS Golden West Chapter, now ALS Network in California. They provided loaner wheelchairs until Mark’s custom chair was available. They have provided a shower chair with bridging system over the shower threshold, and other medical equipment. Thank you.