Team Keithbob

Life is certainly an adventure, and my wife Jalene and I have had our share.  But in the fall of 2020, our life journey took an unplanned medical turn.  I was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in August 2020, after a couple of years of strange muscle crampings and spasms.  ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) is a fatal disease where the motor nerves in the body degenerate, with progressive loss of muscle function in all parts of the body.  At this point, I can still walk with some difficulty, but my right leg and arm are weakening, as is my core strength and breathing ability.  Eventually I will be wheelchair-bound and require a ventilator.  I was forced to retire at the end of 2020, several years earlier than I had envisioned.  You can plan for most things in life, but not ALS.

With the generous help of a contractor friend, our house is being modified to allow a power wheelchair, and for a handicapped-access bathroom ($15-25K).  We are also buying a van which has been modified for wheelchair access (used, about $30-40K).  Along with these two major expenses will come untold and less predictable expenses for the next 3-5 years while I live, such as professional in-home assistance, orthotic braces, voice assist devices or other mechanical aids, and many other expenses.  Your donations will help defray those expenses, make my remaining life better, and help cushion the blow to our resources and protect Jalene's future well-being.

It is important that you know how thankful we are for any assistance we receive from you, our friends, and the larger world.  I've been forced to learn to ask for help these last few months as things get more difficult, and I've acquired a whole new understanding of gratefulness.  The friendships we often take for granted, or think of as casual, can have deeper meanings that remain unrevealed until times of great need.  Now, at the most surprising times and from the most amazing people, I am learning that I'm important to people in ways I never knew or expected.  And I am humbled.  And Jalene and I are grateful.

Direct donations are accepted here.  Also, this site is also a place where proceeds from a local fundraising auction can be submitted.

PS - I have many, many friends in the motorcycling world who want to know if I can still ride.  Yes, for now I can.  My balance is still intact and perfect, but I've lowered my beloved world-traveler 650 Dakar an inch, and also have the GoldWing to ride as well.  It won't surprise anyone to know that once I'm on the bike and rolling, I'm perfectly relaxed and totally at ease again.  Both have handicapped parking stickers on them now!