A Little About Wayne

Wayne was a retired Marine helicopter pilot and American Airline pilot.  He loved to fly and owned his own plane.  Wayne was a devout Christian and believed Gods hands are at work in our lives.  He loved his family and enjoyed teasing his three little grandchildren and filling them with candy.  Wayne had a way of finding humor in every situation and loved to entertain.  He did not like to sit still and travel was constantly on his mind. 

In September of 2017, Wayne was diagnosed with bulbar onset ALS.  Bulbar onset starts in the throat/neck.  Wayne's began with a little cough when he was swallowing.  He lost his ability to speak, eat, and eventually breath on his own.  As terrible as this was, Wayne stayed in good spirits as he struggled daily with a failing body.  

10-15% of people with ALS also suffer from FTD (frontotemporal dementia) in addition to losing the ability to move limbs, eating, speaking, swallowing, and breathing.  This was NOT the case with Wayne.  He still had his mind fully intact.  He knew what was happening to him.    

ALS is what we refer to in our family as the devil.  It robs a person of their body.  It does not care about your age or race.  There currently is no cure.  What does all of this mean for a person newly diagnosed?  Tomorrow is not promised.  Live for today!  Love like never before!  Laugh as much as possible! 

Late on October 20, 2018 Wayne took his last breath and he was freed of this terrible disease.   This year we walk in memory of a great man, loving husband, and wonderful father.   

Please, please, please join us to help raise money as we walk in memory of Wayne and all the other people effected by ALS.  This disease must be stopped!

 

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Thank you for helping us reach our Walk ALS Triangle 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 ALS Triangle 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. 

That’s why we’re participating in the Walk ALS Triangle. To bring hope. To raise awareness. To provide resources and services to families free of charge. To help unlock the mystery of ALS and find the key to treatments a cure. Will you join us? 

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. 

ALS can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease, yet it still costs loved ones an average of $250,000 a year to provide the care people living with ALS and their families need. Join the movement to provide help and hope today!