My dad has been gone 11 years now, but I still think about him every day. When I achieve a big goal in life, I ask myself if he'd be proud of me. When I'm out fishing, I remember how much fun we had doing that together. When I'm at home with the boys, I think about how much he would have loved to meet them and spend time with them.

I still remember the first moments after hearing his diagnosis.  I had seen an unexplained decline in my dad for a while. My hero went from being fit and strong, to struggling to do things he could do easily just months before. While he'd been seeing doctors for some time, nobody had been able to confidently diagnose him with anything. Finally he had news to share, so we all gathered around the table and listened intently as he shared the agonizing news. The weight of his words as he explained the details left an unimaginable impact on all of us that day.

Most people don't know a lot about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), other than Lou Gehrig had it. The details of what it means, not just for the person diagnosed, but for the family are hard to explain. For someone diagnosed with ALS, the outlook is grim. A 2-5 year life expectancy, while consistently losing the strength to walk or pick up things, eventually resulting in the inability to speak, swallow, or breathe.

The help needed to adequately care for someone diagnosed with ALS is significant. From equipment like wheelchairs and lifts to helping hands, the ALS Association can help those that need it.

Additionally, the ALS Association helps provide funding to search for a cure. The past two years have brought incredible advancements in ALS research, expanded access to care for people living with ALS, and enabled legislation that impacts the quality of life of people with ALS and their families.

Please consider walking alongside me or making a donation. With your help, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease and help to realize a future with a cure for this horrific disease.