Walk to D’Feet A.L.S.

As most of you know, my mom was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (A.L.S.) this spring. This is the same disease that Stephen Hawking has. Only not everyone has his notoriety. A.L.S. is a progressive condition where the nerves that carry messages to the muscles slowly stop working. It’s not pretty and it results in near paralysis.

The A.L.S. Association of America, Evergreen Chapter (you know, the local western washington chapter) is holding a fundraiser September 22nd, the Walk to D’Feet A.L.S. The money goes to support the equipment loan locker program, support groups, patient services and programs designed to provide information, nationally accredited research, and the certified A.L.S. Clinic at Virginia Mason in Seattle.

Other than the nationally accredited research, these are all things that my mom has used directly. And the research certainly holds out the hope that something will be found to help her. The loan locker provided her a wheelchair when she wanted to go to an event but couldn’t stand for the entire occasion. The support group has provided valuable advice and a kind soul there gave her an $8,000 speech computer that is one of the few ways she can talk. The A.L.S. clinic puts together all the specialists that she needs in one place: speech therapists, respiratory therapists, doctors, neurologists, nurses, occupational therapists, and more. All who know the ins and outs of A.L.S. They know way more than the folks doing such things in their own offices. I’ve seen it.

My mom has a team walking in this fundraiser. It would mean a lot to me, and to her, if you would sponsor her team. In other words, donate some money. $5. $10. Or even $100. It goes to support things that she uses.

And I’ll make the same offer I made last year with regard to Darfur. If anyone on my friends list donates money and forwards me the receipt you get via email, I’ll match the donation.