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Local family deals with ALS - How you can help

• Published October 08, 2009

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: (ALS) “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”

“A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. 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.” www.alsa.org.

Have you ever thought about what you, or your family would do if one of you were stricken with a debilitating disease? Not just about how you would handle your care, but how you would financially handle your medical bills? I don’t know of anyone with or without health insurance that could financially deal with the medical costs of something like ALS. I have pretty decent health insurance, but still would find myself dealing with a huge amount of debt trying to cover what my health insurance wouldn’t. I’m sure, not ever having had to deal with something like this, I am totally ignorant of all that is involved in caring for someone else with a disease like ALS, or what I might need if it were me.

There was a time when families were faced with these costs, and there were no avenues of relief – no way to get help. With the age of the Internet, and bloggers who have a definite soft spot for people faced with medical challenges, we can educate others and help another human being at the same time.

Hilary Carlson was diagnosed with ALS last spring. Her and her husband, John, have been actively involved in the Yelm area for 30 years. Hilary has four married sons, and she is the grandmother of 11. Both Hilary and John have been involved with Yelm High School Booster club, and have volunteered at Eagle View Christian School. Friends and family consider them great assets to their community.

On Oct. 10, friends and family of Hilary’s will sponsor a “FunFest” at Yelm City Park, beginning at 10 a.m.. Lots of fun events are planned for all ages. There will be an inflatable climbing wall and castle, games, clowns, balloon artists and face painters. The event will also feature karaoke, dancing and special local musical talent. At 3 p.m., a live auction will feature goods and services donated by local businesses. And there’s more!

Here’s a chance to make a difference in someone’s life.