Patricia Hamilton
Pat's Angels
Event: | Woodlands Walk |
Date: | Saturday, October 5, 2024 |
Team: | Pat's Angels |
Welcome to my personal fundraising page! I am ecstatic that you are here to read my story and to understand why I chose to become an ALS advocate.
October 14, 2023 will be my 8th annual ALS walk to raise funds for resources, services, equipment, research and support group meetings. This will also be my 5th year to walk in memory of my co-worker, JD Talton, and three friends (John Merriweather, Linda Simmons, and JC Creath).
My wonderful husband of 32 years is my full-time priceless caregiver. My son is the other assistant in my valuable support system.
ALS is a complex disease that is often difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic numerous other diseases. The disease attacks cells in the body that control movement. It makes the brain stop talking to the muscles, causing increased paralysis over time. Ultimately, ALS patients become prisoners within their own bodies, unable to eat, breathe, or move on their own. Their mind, however, often remains sharp so they are aware of what's happening to them.
My experience is similar to countless others from initial symptom to a confirmed ALS diagnosis. My first symptom was right hand weakness, but I am not sure of the onset date. I decided to drive my husband's car (1995 Ford Taurus) to work February 2013 and it was harder for me to turn the key than it was the previous summer. Several doctor appointments and tests led to three different diagnoses. Treatment and therapy was unsuccessful in improving my hand weakness by the end of 2013. In January 2014, I made an appointment with another neurologist. After numerous tests in January and February, I received an ALS diagnosis March 2014. A second and third opinion confirmed my ALS diagnosis.
After confirming my diagnosis, I joined the local ALS support group, which gives me the opportunities to learn and share information with other patients who truly understood my journey. Chapter employees are awesome during every meeting in their desire to enrich our lives with knowledgeable speakers and advice to live our lives doing whatever makes us happy. After attending numerous support group meetings and meeting other families affected by ALS, my husband and I registered as ALS Advocates. To be as effective as possible, we conducted a lot of internet research and got involved with spreading awareness.
The more I learned about ALS, I started to think that one of my worst fears was that I would not live to see our son graduate from high school. As time passed and my progression was noticeably not as fast as many of the patients I met, I was deeply saddened for them but always hopeful. By 2016, both of my hands were weak and was affecting my ability to drive and work. On October 1, 2016, I retired from a job I loved as a Forensic Accountant.
With invaluable support from my local ALS Association Chapter, family and friends, I organized my first Annual ALS Walk in 2016. Each year, my team continued to gain support and by 2018, we had 100 members. I agreed to speak October 27, 2018 (day of the walk) to highlight ALS and what brings me joy. Of course, I wrote the speech and my husband delivered it with a few of his comical phrases.
In May 2018, my husband and I attended The National Advocacy Conference in Washington DC. While there, we went to Capitol Hill to discuss important issues facing people with ALS. I also shared my personal story and passionate testimonials as to why we desperately need Congress to continue funding research and support laws that improve the lives of people living with ALS.
On January 26, 2019, the Nichols family and The ALS Association's presenting sponsor Six Foot honored me as the ALS Hero during the 15th All in for ALS Poker Tournament. This event began in 2004 in honor of Stu Nichols who, along with his son Andrew, started the poker event to benefit people, like Stu, living with ALS.
We are now in year 2023 and I have changed my mindset to one that is positive and hopeful. Our son has not only graduated from high school but is currently preparing for his third year of college.
Although ALS is a very devastating disease, my mind and eyes have not been affected. I am still able to travel and spend quality time with family and friends. I walk unassisted at home and for short distances. I use a manual wheelchair for traveling and all events that require distance walking. My speech is slurred and thanks to advanced technology, the eye gaze computer will become my voice, if necessary. It will give me the ability to write, communicate, text and access to the Internet. With the eye gaze computer, there is no limit on what I can do with my eyes and my brain.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
Every 90 minutes (or approximately 15 people per day), someone will be diagnosed with ALS in our country. The same number of people will not survive without an effective treatment or cure.
These statistics are staggering and are the reasons I am committed to fight for ALS awareness, treatment, aid, advocacy, and ultimately, a cure.
ABOUT ALS
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) - also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease and Motor Neuron Disease (MND) - is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe.
Progression differs from person to person regarding how fast and in what order it occurs.
ALS can strike anyone - of any age, racial, ethnic, or socio-economic background. Approximately 450,000 patients worldwide are affected. The astronomical average cost is $250,000 per year to provide care and equipment for people living with ALS.
Presently, there is no known cause, effective treatment to halt progression, or cure for ALS.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
1. Support groups
2. Equipment loans
3. Access to specialized ALS clinics
4. Advocacy for public policy that serves the needs of people with ALS
5. Research to find effective treatments and a cure
6. Veterans Medical Benefits Referral Service
7. Navigating ALS Tools
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Mrs. Patricia Hamilton
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