This year for #GivingTuesday we are featuring stories about our clients truly "Making Possibilities" with the help of our Equipment Loan Program.
If you'd like to donate or learn more about the campaign you can visit: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-society-of-alberta/campaign/giving-tuesday-2021/
Here is our story of the day. Thank you for sharing with us Marlene!
My name is Marlene and I became the caregiver for my friend, Rory, who was sadly diagnosed with ALS in March 2020. Rory was devastated by this news, didn’t want to believe it at first, couldn’t believe it and it was hard to digest.
At first Rory’s symptoms were mild but as his condition seemed to get worse too quickly. We realized that he would not be able to use the stairs to where he was staying in the basement.
The ALS Society quickly arranged for stair lifts to be installed in the house so that Rory could use them to go up/down and be on the main floor. Here he was able to use his walker, also supplied very kindly by the ALS Society to move around the house.
Rory’s condition kept getting worse and the ALS Society were again helpful in providing a smaller stair lift from the garage into the house as there were 3 stairs from the garage into the house. So that helped. As Rory’s condition worsened we realized that he would need a special bed so that he would be able to turn in it without falling out. Again, the ALS Society provided this for Rory which helped as it lifted up for him to reach the ground without falling and then went down so that he could sleep relatively comfortably. It had side rails to prevent him from falling out.
Rory’s condition kept getting worse as the months progressed and we then realized that we needed assistance with his personal grooming. The ALS Society arranged for him to get personal care aides to come to the house for his personal grooming, washing him, helping him with showers, shaving, brushing his teeth, etc. This was extremely helpful as I (Marlene) being 73 years old was not able to do all of these things for Rory.
By August, 2020, Rory was almost unable to walk and lost the muscle in his legs. This presented another problem as he was barely able to get up from each stair lift and move to the next without falling. We all realized that Rory’s situation was progressing all too fast.
The ALS Society then arranged for a beautiful uplift recliner to be provided so that Rory could now sit in this recliner and was able to bring up the recliner to the point where I could help him stand up and use his walker. This was really very helpful as I would not have been able to lift Rory out of any chair. I then started to feed Rory in his recliner as he was not able to get to the dining room table.
By November 2020, Rory had to be moved to an assisted-living (and supportive-living) home, as the ALS was progressing too fast and I was not able to provide him with the proper care he needed at home.
In November 2020, the ALS Society did the most wonderful thing for Rory; they provided him with an Electric Wheelchair!! Unbelievable. This was very, very useful as he was not able to get around using his walker any longer.
Soon, Rory’s hands became unusable as the ALS progressed and his muscles were too weak. So the electric wheelchair became a very important asset for him. He still had to be lifted in/out of the electric wheelchair but this was done by the staff at the home. Because of his ability to use the electric wheelchair, Rory was able to access the Access Calgary Transit services and was able to go out into the beautiful garden for visits with family and friends.
As a gesture for my birthday last August (2020) I did a fundraiser for the ALS Society on my Facebook page and was able to raise $250.00 which I hoped was helpful. I wish I could have raised more.
More recently, this summer (2021) Rory has been able to come home for visits on the nice summer days we have been blessed with. He was able to see his beloved cat, spend time with Marlene and his neighbours, who have been in constant touch with him throughout his stay at the home. Many have even visited Rory when they could and some even visit him, which he enjoys.
I have to say that I was absolutely surprised and so very thankful for all the kindness, support and equipment that Rory received from the ALS Society. Without their help I am not sure what we would have done, as we could never afford any of the equipment provided which helped make his life a little easier and bearable.
To date, the ALS Society continues to help Rory with equipment, and support. We are forever in their debt and hope that they are able to continue their good work which is so necessary for anyone who is going through ALS. We can’t thank you enough.
God Blessing be with you all
Marlene Darby
Have you or a loved one of yours benefitted from the Equipment Loan Program? Would you like to share your experience? Please send us an email at alscommunications@alsab.ca