WHY WE WALK

My daughter, Haley, was 15 when she first started showing significant symptoms. Until this time she was very active with dancing, singing, acting and had recently joined the Kilties Drum and Bugle Corp at Central High School.
When school started in the fall of 2007, Haley noticed she couldn't raise her arm all the way in her Dance Team routine and when they did a move on the ground she had a hard time trying to get up. When she was marching with the Kilties, Haley would get very tired and her legs would give way and she would fall during the parade or performance.
In September we began searching for a doctor who could help Haley. Things progressively got worse. By November, Haley was using a walker to keep her from falling and couldn't use her right arm at all. By January, she was in a manual wheelchair that she could use her feet to manuver. In March, Haley received her electric wheelchair from Permobile and ALSA which she used her left hand to work. By April, Haley was having significant problems with breathing and swallowing. April 30, 2008 Haley was admitted to Cox hospital and she chose to have a trach and Pegg tube so she could have a ventilator to help her breath. After three weeks, Haley came home from the hospital with a variety of new equipment and personel to make her life easier.
This is where the real story begins. Haley told me to stop crying because she was going to live a long time and that God has a plan for her. He wants her to tell her story so everyone can learn from it. Yes, she would have liked a cure, please, but her message is more important. Haley is still Haley despite the changes in her body. Her brain still functions and she struggles for independence as all teenagers do. But Haley is incredibly tough and strong. Despite all of her set-backs, Haley relied on tutors and teachers from her high school to guide her to graduation in May of 2009.

So, you ask "why do you walk?"
And I ask you, "why don't you?"
We walk to remind ourselves what is so easy and natural for us isn't easy for everyone
We walk to raise money for ALSA.
We walk to raise awareness about ALS.
We walk for a cure.
We walk because we can.
Why do you walk?

Why We Need Your Help

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, 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 an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

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.

This crippling disease can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease though support is bringing researchers closer to an answer. In the mean time it costs an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need. Help make a difference and donate or join a walk today.

Go to www.alsa-midwest.org and start a team, join a team, or make a donation today.

Thank you for your continued support.

Gretchen Teague