I remember the saying “what a difference a day makes.”* I probably said it a few times as it pertained to my life but never has it been so life changing.* Today I am not reflecting on a difference that a day makes but what a difference two months makes.
In December of 2012 at the age of 66, my Mother Wendy was diagnosed with ALS. A devastating diagnosis as there is currently no treatment, no cure. In the last two months my Mom has lost most of the use of her hands, can no longer lift her arms due to degeneration of her shoulders, is requiring a walker to travel even short distances and now requires a Bi-Pap breathing device to help her breath while sleeping due to muscle deterioration in her diaphragm.
With three letters of the alphabet, my family's life has switched focus from what will we do in the next few years... to what will we do today, from planning fishing and hunting trips.. to planning how to preserve my Mom's independence to do simple things like feed, bath and dress herself for even a few weeks longer.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. People living with the disease become progressively paralyzed due to degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Eighty per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of diagnosis– unable to breathe or swallow.
So little is known about this cruel disease, every penny of money that can be given towards research helps and my recent day spent at the ALS clinic at University Hospital in London has magnified this need.
This year my family and I will be participating in the Barrie Walk for ALS in order to raise as much money towards research and support of patients with ALS. Every dollar makes a difference. If you can help at all please visit my team page at the following link.
2013 WALK for ALS
Sincerely,
Tara Favretto