The Chapter, Cincinnati Reds & the Zac Brown Band come together to fight ALS
"I think it's going to take everyone to stop ALS. Everyone in the world to pitch in."
- John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band
The Chapter hosted its 24th annual Strike Out ALS® event with the Cincinnati Reds on Lou Gehrig Day, June 2nd. Perfect weather and a free post-game concert by the Zac Brown Band capped a magnificent evening at Great American Ballpark.
John Driskell Hopkins, member of the Zac Brown Band, received an ALS diagnosis last year. The band performed a full set after the game in support of John’s Hop on a Cure Foundation, which funds research to fight ALS.
Due to the concert, the Chapter doubled its reserved space at the game – hosting nearly 300 people – an sold out quickly. The Chapter’s guests enjoyed a Montgomery Inn barbecue buffet dinner, desserts, and a cash bar while watching a great game that went into extra innings. Of course, the best part was the camaraderie among people with ALS and their families, who got to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.
During the pre-game ceremony, the Chapter honored Jim Bowman, who threw out the first pitch. Since his ALS diagnosis in 2021, Jim and his wife, Nancy, and their three adult children have become passionate and dedicated advocates for raising awareness and funds to provide local services for people with ALS and ultimately to find a cure. His team JimmyB was the top fundraiser for The ALS Association Central & Southern Ohio Chapter’s Walk to Defeat ALS® last fall.
Jim had been preparing for his moment on the mound, visiting his local gym multiple times a week to practice throwing with a friend. With the help of his two sons and buoyed by a standing ovation from the crowd, Jim walked to the mound and joyfully threw the ceremonial pitch to the Reds’ mustachioed mascot, Mr. Redlegs.
Strike Out ALS Events go to bat with the Columbus Clippers & Dayton Dragons
The Chapter hosted well over 100 people at each of the Strike Out ALS events with the Columbus Clippers and Dayton Dragons in late June. Attendees enjoyed buffet dinners, great views of the games, and each other's company.
Chapter honorees threw out the ceremonial first pitch at each game. Heather Merkle and her husband, Rob, threw out the pitch in Columbus and siblings John Leo and Michelle Bennet - siblings fighting familial ALS - shared the honor in Dayton. Be sure to join us next year for a wonderful night out!
Thank You to our Strike Out Sponsors!
Reds "Home Run" Sponsor |
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Clippers "Home Run" Sponsor |
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Register Now for the Walk to Defeat ALS!
Fundraising season for the Walk to Defeat ALS is now in full swing! More people are living with ALS than ever before. Therefore, we need everyone to get involved, in any way you can.
Last year you came out strong for the first events after the pandemic hiatus. This year is shaping up to be even bigger and better than last! Here are the fundraising totals so far:
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CINCINNATI $36,302 (9% of goal)
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COLUMBUS $47,563 (21% of goal)
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DAYTON $25,268 (20% of goal) |
Chapter Welcomes Two New Team Members
Melinda McGuire, MSW |
Sage Brand, MSW, MA
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Melinda McGuire, MSW
Melinda McGuire has accepted the role of Care Services Coordinator in the Dayton area. Melinda has a Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University, and a bachelor’s in psychology from Wright State University.
Melinda is already uniquely familiar with our Chapter. Most recently, Melinda worked at the The Dempsey Family Education and Resource Center (located at OhioHealth Riverside Hospital) where she was introduced to the Chapter and co-facilitated the caregiver support group with Carleen Hubbell.
Prior to that role, she worked in Adult Day Services and hospice. She’s a mother of three sons, and recently moved to the Dayton area to be near her first granddaughter, Juniper, born in December. Melinda is excited to be joining the Chapter and eager to meet the PALS and caregivers in the Dayton area.
Sage Brand, MSW, MA
Sage Brand (pronouns: she/her and they/them) had been hired in the new role of Program Services Coordinator. In this new role, Sage will coordinate program logistics and tracking, with heavy emphasis on the Chapter’s equipment loan and Convenience Item programs.
Sage received their Master’s in Social Work from UCLA. Sage also completed their Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Global Health at the University of California, San Diego. Their passions center on research in social welfare. They have experience in community health programs, advocacy, fundraising, psychological services, and mental health initiatives.
They have worked in different mental health treatment facilities within the San Diego area. Sage also worked as the MSW Intern at UCLA Hospital for the Gender Health Program. During their time at UC San Diego, they worked for a former foster youth program doing case management. Their interests in Global Health led them to apply for the U.S. Department of State Award of the Gilman Scholarship, allowing them to study at Trinity College Dublin.
ALS Support added to Ohio's House Bill 33
Advocates and key stakeholders from our Chapter provided personal testimony in support of an ALS Amendment to Ohio’s operating Budget Bill on March 28, 2023. This biannual operating process originates from the Ohio House Finance Committee.
The Ohio House overwhelmingly supported the addition of the ALS Support Amendment and passed the Budget Bill to the Ohio Senate Finance Committee. June 6, 2023, the Senate Finance Committee revealed their version of alternate House Bill 33 (HB33) in which the ALS Amendment was included. Funding from the Ohio Budget begins on July 1 and represents a 2-year budget. We remain optimistic that legislators will continue to support those living with ALS in Ohio.
Enjoying Leisure Activities with ALS
Originally posted on ALS.org
We all have things we like to do for fun – hobbies, sports, artistic endeavors or other leisure activities. Despite all the challenges and tasks involved in living with ALS, it’s important to keep doing the things you enjoy. Although ALS can make many leisure activities more difficult – or even seemingly impossible – there are ways you can adapt and still enjoy the things you love.
Assistive Equipment
As the effects of ALS make movement more difficult, you’ll likely need help with the physical aspects of your favorite leisure activities. Thankfully, just like there’s assistive equipment and technology to help with your everyday chores, there are assistive devices and modifications to help you take part in the hobbies you enjoy.
There’s assistive equipment for too many different leisure activities to list here. For example, if you like to fish, there are automatic casters and reelers available, and ramps can be built to provide easier access to your boat or dock.
Adjusting Activities
Even with assistive equipment, some physical activities will eventually become too difficult, or may seem to be more trouble than they’re worth. At that point, you’ll need to make adjustments to the activity itself.
For starters, think about why you enjoy your favorite leisure activities. What is it about the activity that you love? There are often core aspects of a leisure activity that you can continue to enjoy.
For example, an avid hiker might enjoy hiking largely because it allows them to experience the beauty, peace and quiet of the outdoors. Even if you’re no longer able to hike, you can still get outdoors and experience those things.
Or, if you love playing a particular sport, it might be because you’re competitive by nature and like the challenge of beating someone else at a game. Other, less physical games could allow you to still experience those competitive thrills.
Technology can again be helpful when making this transition. If you love to travel, you can virtually visit attractions all over the world through online photos, videos, travel blogs or television shows.
If you love books but can’t physically turn the pages, audio books can do the reading for you. Instead of playing sports, you can watch sports on TV, play fantasy sports with friends or play virtually through video games.
And don’t be afraid to try new things. You might find a new favorite leisure activity.
Airplane Travel Tips for Wheelchair Users
Traveling on an Airplane with a wheelchair can be an incredibly difficult process. The nonprofit organization All Wheels Up is increasing awareness for safer and more dignified accessible air travel through research and advocacy. They’ve created this guide to help people understand how it can be done. It walks through all the steps for people of all abilities and includes images and videos of the process. You can find the guide at this website: https://www.allwheelsup.org/wheelchair-airplane-traveling-guide/
