~Volunteering~
What is ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease,"
is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
that affects nerve cells
in the brain and the spinal cord.
every 90 minutes
another person will be diagnosed with the disease.
Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.
8 years ago my grandma was diagnosed with ALS.
it took almost 1 1/2 years for doctors to figure out
what was happening to her.
this fierce disease affects more and more
and all different from the start
usually it starts in the feet
and works it way up through the body
attacking violently
with no known cause to WHY it chose its person.
for my grandma
it started in her throat.
choking
having a difficult time eating
thoughts become hard to get out
her voice become strangled
her hands becoming difficult to use
her walking slowed
and soon
there was NO VOICE
there was no EATING
there was NO WALKING
she was told 6 months
after being diagnosed
She fought hard
never willing to give up
an inspiration to my whole family
She lost her battle almost 2 years later...
ALS had won
imagine
you right now
your mind well
your thoughts clear
yet you can not express what you want
imagine
your body slowly paralizing
and
THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN STOP IT
there are no treatments
no medications
they are slowly learning the whys
finding new tools to help
but THEY ARE STILL SO FAR AWAY
ALS...is just that
for the last couple years
i have been a team captain
organize
and gather family friends
to join my side
as i walk in memory
remembering
a beautiful soul
who is no longer with us
i walk to be a small part
maybe helping to make a difference with research
by my efforts made in just a few days
well...the other day
i recieved an email for volunteers
YUP
i have signed up to help
officially i have not begun anything
i am on the list and waiting for my packet
but
it is another start in the right direction
hopefully being apart of making
a change
for another
one who will be diagnosed
yet
will be told of their options
to help slow or stop
ALS from further attacking their body
i do believe one day
all these stories
of lives lost
to this dispicable disease
will be a faint memory
for there one day will be a CURE
~small steps right~
13 comments:
We had a dear friend who had ALS. Ken was a funny, vibrant, very tall man with an infectious laugh. He and his wife were such a devoted loving couple. Very adventuresome and great role models. He went from all that to a very shriveled imitation of a person in a wheelchair with no speech, no movement just eyes that constantly cried. It was heartbreaking. All this in 8 months and then he died. We were all so happy that he had crossed the rainbow bridge and hurt no more. You are absolutely correct the disease is vicious and cruel. His wife Suzanne is like you fighting the good fight against ALS and will never stop. Thanks for your post. It is important when we have a strong story to tell that we do so without hesitation.....this needed to be read, cried over and put a spark to action.
You're a goodie. (((hugs))) until next time
I too believe there will be a cure - for many of these diseases that take our loved ones. I know if we can split atoms, we can cure too.
Good for you, for volunteering!
I am glad that you signed to be a volunteer. It is sad how many wonderful people we lose to diseases that don't have a cure. My grandmother lost her fight with breast cancer 4 years ago :( so I totally relate to you even if the causes are somewhat different. Wishing the cure is found soon :)
So beautiful ... what a rich way to celebrate the memory of your grandmother ... and to carry her courage and spirit forward.
as always, you leave me feeling inspired and motivated to act ... creatively, courageously, with love and awareness. thank you for that.
Good for you -- a worthy cause indeed! Sorry to hear about your grandma but her fighting spirit is an inspiration!
thanks for sharing info. on als. volunteering is a very worthwhile thing to do. god bless have a good day rose
Thank you for making people aware of this and for volunteering to help! You are a wonderful soul and I'm sure that you grandmother would be so proud. ~Lauren
Volunteering is such a wonderful thing to do and this is a cause so near to your heart with your grandmother. Wonderful project! I'll bet your grandmother is smiling from up above with the good work you've done to honor her.
So sorry to hear about your grandma. ALS is such a terrible disease and is so tough for family and friends of the afflicted. I'm sure your volunteer work will comfort others and keep your grandma in your thoughts. Good for you.
Just stopping by to let you know I finally posted my project this morning. Go on over to 52 projects and take a peek :)
This is wonderful. My husband's uncle was recently diagnosed.
This is a wonderful project and a honorable thing for you to do. Thank you for helping to make more people aware of this.
Thank you for giving of yourself
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~your thoughts i do adore...thank you so for taking time to leave your words of wisdom~