The Walk for 'Team Nancy' will be on Sunday, September 12 between 9am and noon. We will start/end at the outdoor dining facility for the El Coyote Restaurant on State Road near Five Mile Road in Anderson Township. Free parking and easy access to the Five Mile Hike and Bike Trail.
ABOUT ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.
NANCY’S STORY
Nancy was a loved and loving wife, sister, mother of two, grandmother of three, aunt of three and friend to many. She retired from dental hygiene just a few years ago having worked in private practice for 20 years and dental research for more than 30 years. She endured ALS for only 50 weeks. Life was a journey we traveled together but we both understood one of us would probably reach the finish line before the other; we just never thought she would be first.
Nancy began her journey following a hiking trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in September, 2018. She complained about a weakness in one leg. One doctor had her do physical therapy which just left her more weakened. After fighting thru a whole series of tests, and with the persistence of our Certified Nurse Practitioner, we were given the diagnosis of ALS in mid-January, 2019. It was confirmed shortly after that. We realized that the disease would work itself inward from her periphery.
Our introduction to the ALS Association began in February, 2019 and we could not ask for a more supportive group. The ALS lending closet lent us various types of equipment to determine if any of it could help us as we transitioned from one level of the disease to another; lifts, wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and even some personal items were available to us at no charge. The non-personal equipment was simply returned for the next patient with ALS (PALS) to use. We have also attended ALS group discussions and caregiver meetings where experiences are shared and problems and solutions discussed; the support from each other is tremendous.
Nancy celebrated two Christmases this past year. Her family and friends organized a ‘Christmas in July’ party for her and she received more than 200 Christmas cards from across the country. She also was able to celebrate everyone’s birthday one last time. She celebrated Halloween, Thanksgiving, her birthday, the real Christmas and New Year’s, 2020, with all of her family. Sadly, she was with us for only a very few days beyond that.
Then, one evening, she simply went to sleep and never woke up.
Even though it was expected, it was still the hardest thing I have ever had to experience. Watching your life’s partner wither away with ALS is indescribable. Many of you who knew Nancy knew that she was claustrophobic so being unable to move was a hell unto itself. At least she has a relief from that now.
Without the ALS lending closet and the ALS Association, the journey would have been much more difficult and lonely. Please support their efforts thru your donations.
So no one else will hear “You have ALS.”
Nancy left us more than a year ago; her absence still hurts. But, she left behind two great kids and three fantastic grandchildren. All have great memories of her and I can readily see the positive influence she has had on them as they grow up. It makes the pain of her loss a little easier to deal with.
Thank you for helping us reach our fundraising goal. Together we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by ALS. Our team is committed to raising money to support people in our community with ALS and spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure. Please consider joining our team in the Walk to Defeat ALS® or choose a team member from the list and donate to our cause.
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.
