ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), is a nervous system disease that causes muscle weakness and the loss of the ability to speak, eat, move, and breathe. There is no cure for ALS. Patients eventually die from the disease, having an average life expectancy of 3-5 years from the onset of symptoms.
There are significant challenges that ALS patients constantly face that require special assistance and equipment. These include, but are not limited to, using a wheelchair for mobility, getting in and out of bed, finding comfort due to immobility, and assisted breathing.
Fortunately, the ALS Association exists to provide care and support for ALS patients, to support research to find a cure for ALS, and to advocate for awareness for the disease. The ALS Association has delivered wheelchairs, adjustable beds, shower chairs, transfer boards, assisted breathing machines and various other equipment to our loved ones over the years to make their lives a bit more bearable and we are forever grateful to them.
Several of our loved ones from Ste. Genevieve, MO have been affected by this debilitating disease so this year we are joining forces as a community to help give back to the ALS Association by participating in our own benefit walk on Saturday, June 22nd at 8:00am in the Ste. Genevieve Pere Marquette Park. Hope you can join our team!