Help Beth Beat ALS!
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Just months before Beth’s 57th birthday, she received a heart wrenching diagnosis. After months of countless doctor appointments, frustration and confusion about why her leg wasn’t working properly, she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, well known for as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
In a very short 6-month period, Beth went from a healthy hard working math teacher, to a strong and hopeful woman fighting a serious disease.
ALS is a disease of the parts of the nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. In ALS, motor neurons (nerve cells that control muscle cells) are gradually lost. As these motor neurons are lost, the muscles they control become weak and then nonfunctional. A number of strategies and approaches are being tested around the world, both in the laboratory and in human clinical trials. One of the most significant breakthroughs in the last decade has been the discovery of a number of genes that, when flawed, cause ALS.
In late 2017, Beth took an awful fall while playing her beloved sport of tennis (yes this super woman managed to play tennis every Wednesday with her girlfriends). She was badly bruised and decided to take a little break from the sport as she healed.
Not too much later she started experiencing fatigue, lack of mobility and twinges in her feet. Walking short distances had become slightly difficult for her and Beth was starting to get concerned. After going to the orthopedist and having numerous x-rays taken, she was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis. Beth began physical therapy but there was no improvement and was getting worse. She continued with this diagnosis and saw a specialist in Manhattan who had much acclaim with treating patients who had spinal stenosis. She received a cortisone injection, however, again, there were no improvements.
Beth's fears heightened, but being such a strong, prideful woman she hardly complained. She expressed that she had an awful feeling that she may have MS but tried not to think along those lines.
Winter recess was now around the corner and her walking difficulties became more pronounced. Less than a half a block walk was extremely hard for her and this vivacious woman was having a tough time. It seemed to all be happening so fast.
Fast forwarding slightly, Beth was now seeing neurologists and other doctors to see if an alternate diagnosis could be found. Beth was then diagnosed with ALS. This disease has moved quickly and she is now in rehab. Her beautiful and strong family have one goal in mind and that is to get her overseas for a special treatment that has been showing hope for this dreadful disease.
Beth is the sweetest, kind-hearted and most hard working mother, friend and women anyone could ask for. She has dedicated her early years to the garment industry and 20+ years to devoting her days to teaching hundreds of kids in Brooklyn, the complicated world of mathematics. Her students, parents and colleagues adore her and has always brought nothing short of smiles, positivity and friendship to her work environment. Beyond her work life, she is a magnificent wife, mother and friend. She has three beautiful children and a loving husband, Ron fighting through each day with her. Her caring, nurturing and loving personality has created a strong foundation for her family and a warm environment for success.
But now, Beth needs our help. In addition to the prayers and well wishes, Beth needs financial support to assistant with significant medical expenses, including adaptive living devices, rehab, home care and medical treatments.
As you can see, this is a tragic situation. Your funds will directly support Beth’s treatment, alleviate the financial burden of Beth being unable to work, and to assist with the ongoing medical costs that are yet to come.
Please share this page to everyone – all the support helps! Thank you so much for your support!
In a very short 6-month period, Beth went from a healthy hard working math teacher, to a strong and hopeful woman fighting a serious disease.
ALS is a disease of the parts of the nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. In ALS, motor neurons (nerve cells that control muscle cells) are gradually lost. As these motor neurons are lost, the muscles they control become weak and then nonfunctional. A number of strategies and approaches are being tested around the world, both in the laboratory and in human clinical trials. One of the most significant breakthroughs in the last decade has been the discovery of a number of genes that, when flawed, cause ALS.
In late 2017, Beth took an awful fall while playing her beloved sport of tennis (yes this super woman managed to play tennis every Wednesday with her girlfriends). She was badly bruised and decided to take a little break from the sport as she healed.
Not too much later she started experiencing fatigue, lack of mobility and twinges in her feet. Walking short distances had become slightly difficult for her and Beth was starting to get concerned. After going to the orthopedist and having numerous x-rays taken, she was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis. Beth began physical therapy but there was no improvement and was getting worse. She continued with this diagnosis and saw a specialist in Manhattan who had much acclaim with treating patients who had spinal stenosis. She received a cortisone injection, however, again, there were no improvements.
Beth's fears heightened, but being such a strong, prideful woman she hardly complained. She expressed that she had an awful feeling that she may have MS but tried not to think along those lines.
Winter recess was now around the corner and her walking difficulties became more pronounced. Less than a half a block walk was extremely hard for her and this vivacious woman was having a tough time. It seemed to all be happening so fast.
Fast forwarding slightly, Beth was now seeing neurologists and other doctors to see if an alternate diagnosis could be found. Beth was then diagnosed with ALS. This disease has moved quickly and she is now in rehab. Her beautiful and strong family have one goal in mind and that is to get her overseas for a special treatment that has been showing hope for this dreadful disease.
Beth is the sweetest, kind-hearted and most hard working mother, friend and women anyone could ask for. She has dedicated her early years to the garment industry and 20+ years to devoting her days to teaching hundreds of kids in Brooklyn, the complicated world of mathematics. Her students, parents and colleagues adore her and has always brought nothing short of smiles, positivity and friendship to her work environment. Beyond her work life, she is a magnificent wife, mother and friend. She has three beautiful children and a loving husband, Ron fighting through each day with her. Her caring, nurturing and loving personality has created a strong foundation for her family and a warm environment for success.
But now, Beth needs our help. In addition to the prayers and well wishes, Beth needs financial support to assistant with significant medical expenses, including adaptive living devices, rehab, home care and medical treatments.
As you can see, this is a tragic situation. Your funds will directly support Beth’s treatment, alleviate the financial burden of Beth being unable to work, and to assist with the ongoing medical costs that are yet to come.
Please share this page to everyone – all the support helps! Thank you so much for your support!
Fundraising team: Shamah's Llamas (7)
Rachael Witrick
Organizer
Long Beach, NY
Ron Shamah
Beneficiary
Linda Peterson
Team member
Madeline Parmegiani
Team member
Carolyn Krinsky-Adinolfi
Team member
Brittany Fernandez
Team member
