My dear friend Michelle Bailey has ALS.  She was diagnosed in 2014. Right now the only way she can communicate is through her eyes. This is the only part of her body that she can move. She is brilliant. She is beautiful inside and out. Michelle is limited to expressing her thoughts letter by letter by looking through an alphabet board. Her caregivers are pros at this…I on the other hand am painfully slow, but Michelle never get exasperated with me. She rolls her eyes every time I tell her what a great listener she is as I drivel on when we spend time together. She is an incredible inspiration to me. That's why I'm walking. I want to bring help and hope to Michelle and other patients and families affected by this terrible disease now and in the future, in the hopes that one day ALS is a disease of the past. 

 

Over the past few years, there have been advancements in ALS research, as well as expanded resources and access to care for people living with ALS.  

 

But now, more than ever, we need to keep the momentum going.  We need to continue to push for more treatments and find a cure for ALS.

 

Please consider joining me at the walk this Saturday - we will walk and roll together, united with wheelchairs and scooters, families, neighbors and friends, strollers and pets – all are welcome!  

If you can't make it to the walk, please consider making a donation. With your support, we can make a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease right here in North Carolina.  In gratitude,Alison Arnoult Van Pelt