If, by spending one Saturday a year participating in the Walk To Defeat ALS, I can help support the search for a cure so other families will not have to experience the pain, suffering, and hardship ALS inflicts, then I will walk year after year until a cure is found. I walk not only in memory of Paul, but for those not yet stricken with ALS.

*** THIS YEAR MARKS MY 21ST WALK TO DEFEAT ALS!!! ***

Below is our story.

January 2nd, 2004

Time: 6:30am

Our family gathers, taking turns spending time with Paul and saying our final farewells.

Time: 8:00am

The nurses arrive and start to sedate Paul in preparation to, by his request, remove him from the respirator that has helped him breathe for the past 7 months.

Time: 1:25PM

Paul's wife Melinda, their children Jena and Andrew, Paul's mum and dad, and myself gather around Paul as the nurse removes the breathing tube from his throat. Paul's body takes over and he starts breathing on his own. But we know it won't be for long; for this horrible and tragic day is now upon us.

Time: 4:30PM

Exhausted and on the verge of collapsing, Melinda climbs onto her husband's bed one last time and with her hand on his chest, falls asleep at his side. Our family watches as their breathing becomes synchronized, as if they are breathing as one. Together they lay, so peaceful, so beautiful, as if nothing is wrong with today.

Time: 5:40PM

Paul's breathing is now becoming more and more shallow. We awaken Melinda and tell her the end is near...

Time: 6:03PM

Paul takes his final breath and loses his fight with ALS. His Spirit is now free from the body that has given him so much pain.

Paul David Osbon entered into life June 23rd, 1966 and entered into rest January 2nd, 2004.

You can help by helping me reach my fundraising goal, by walking as an idividual walker, or as a vitual walker.

Please help. Thank you. ~Amanda

Donations can be made on line or you can mail a check to:

The ALS Association - Orange County Chapter
14471 Chambers Road, Suite 111
Tustin,  CA 92780

Please write walker Amanda Mullen in the memo section.

Why We Need Your Help

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. If you choose to walk with me, you will be a part of an exciting, empowering event for patients, family members, friends, companies and organizations across the country; all of whom are walking to support comprehensive patient service programs and leading-edge ALS research.

Whether or not you can walk with me, you can play an essential role by sponsoring me. Both walkers and donors directly impact the lives of those affected by ALS by providing the means to raise awareness and to offer the services needed to treat and defeat this disease. Last year, the Orange County Chapter Walk raised over $222,000 proving to be our most successful Walk season to date! This year, we hope to surpass this amount by raising $250,000 for continued programs and services on a local and national level.

Not only do proceeds from the Walk go to services that improve the day-to-day lives of ALS patients and their loved ones, but the money we fundraise is directed toward programs that look to the future. Promising research indicates that we are getting closer to finding treatment options and scientists are hopeful that a cure will one day be discovered.

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 ALS. I encourage you get your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers involved!

Thank you for visiting my walk site.