Hello all,

 My name is Maryann Maggs-Eaton and my lovely husband is Stan Eaton. In 2016, Stan had foot drop, the doctors thought was a pinched nerve and needed back surgery, he also needed rotator cuff surgery. Stan was a long shore man for twenty years so these surgeries were not a shock. He had two surgeries and no improvement. Stan then needed an additional surgery for spinal stenosis. However, since everything was happening to the left limbs, he was referred to a neurologist. The first neurologist we saw suspected ALS. After several tests, we attended clinic at UCI. Like many others, we prayed it was anything but ALS. July 2018 is when we got the ALS diagnosis. We currently attend the ALS clinic at UCI, and adore our team of physicians, PT, OT, Speech and OUR Manny (medical equipment rep).

 UCI put us together with the AMAZING ALS Association, OC Chapter . This team is absolutely a light in the scary journey that we have been forced to embark on. The clinic provides us with a support group that we attend monthly; additionally they teach us how to navigate our way thru the health care system. About 3 months after diagnosis, Stan was having balance issues . The association stepped up with their loan closet for equipment. The loan closet is nothing short of amazing as Medicare only pays for one large piece of equipment every 5 years and we needed to save this for our fantastic power wheel chair.

While we cannot change our diagnosis, we can continue to live our best life.

We are fortunate to have a loving and supportive family, and an incredible group of friends, employer (mine, as Stan is retired), doctors, and of course the ALSAOC.

I am a lucky woman as Stan has the sweetest disposition, cutest freckles and never complains, or asks “Why Me?”, he truly is an incredible person

Sending love, prayers, and positive energy to you all,

By Maryann Maggs-Eaton

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Thank you for helping me reach my Walk to Defeat ALS fundraising goal! The Walk to Defeat ALS raises funds to support those affected by ALS and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure.

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 a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. ALS can strike anyone, and presently there is no known cause or cure.

That’s why I’m walking. To change the statistics. To bring help and hope to those living with the disease. To ensure that no one ever hears the words: “You Have ALS” again. 

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.

But, we can’t stop now. The key to a cure begins with you. 

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.