10/18/2014 mom was diagnosed with ALS. I knew from previous research there was no cure for this disease and the only medication available will only extend her life expectancy for a few months. Medication prescribed by her neurologist made her feel worst than the disease itself. My mom, doctor and our family came to the heartbreaking decision to stop the medication and to try and make her last few years, months or days with us the most comfortable and happiest as possible. I know she suffered the most, yet she was so strong and her faith in the Lord was undeniably stronger than ever. Even though she was no longer able to move or eat on her own and it was almost impossible to understand her and most times we played guessing games with her, (she couldn't help but laugh sometimes!) we still prayed and hoped for a cure.

We waited and waited for a cure.. unfortunately she couldn't wait anymore, disease took total control of her body but not her mind and her courageous spirit. She refused to give up and fought until her last days, she refused to be in bed day and night and insisted on being transfered to a couch during the day so she could watch tv and her novelas.

March 7, 2017 at 2:00 AM she took her last breath.

She rests now, no longer in pain, no longer trapped in her own body.

I still talk to her all the time, on my way to work, when i have something i need to tell her. Had so many more memories, phone calls or chisme del dia as we called it, food recipes, stories that will never happen or will happen/play out in my mind.

We walk for a cure so no one has to suffer like she did. We walk so no family goes through the heartbreaking pain of losing a loved one to this terrible disease.
We walk because a cure is needed and because there's a lot of people waiting for a cure.

If love could've saved her, she would've lived forever.

Thank you.
Carmina

Thank you for helping me reach my Walk to Defeat ALS(R) fundraising goal! This is an exciting opportunity for us to work together to support those affected by Lou Gehrig's Disease and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure.

Please consider walking with me or sponsoring me. With your help, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease. I encourage you get your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers involved!

Why We Need Your Help

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries.