“My journey started a little more than 4 years ago when I received the news, “You have ALS.” Those words shattered my world. How could this be? I felt healthy, happy and strong despite a little trouble with my right hand. As we know sometimes life has a way of throwing curve balls when we least expect it and I thought to myself, “We now have to play this new ballgame.”

Sharing this diagnosis with my family and friends was really difficult. Once the shock of this news was realized, the outpouring of love and support was truly amazing as they rallied around me and we started down this path. We have always tried to live every day in the best possible way and this was a real-world reminder of how important it truly is to not take any day for granted and never pass up the opportunity to say “I love you.”

It took some time to reevaluate our new situation and we started planning for the new future that I have been dealt. We have been blessed to have been able to travel a lot in life and have met many great people who frequently reach out just to say “Hi” and “I hope you are doing well.” This means so much to me. The world is full of great and kind people.

We continue to travel when possible and this is in part due to the great support I receive from the ALS Society of Alberta. I have been provided with many items that help to make my everyday life more comfortable and help me deal with the difficulties that ALS brings with it. When the ALS Society receives your donation, be assured that those of us with this disease appreciate the support!

My happy place continues to be my family as we are so lucky to be a close knit family and we have always faced any adversity together. My husband, sons, daughter-in-laws and our very special granddaughters, Blake and Annie, are my shining lights - how lucky am I? As ALS has limited my ability to communicate with my granddaughters, we have developed an amazing way to communicate with no words required - they are truly my world!

My final message to everyone… Please do not feel sorry for me. Continue to smile. Life is good - not perfect but so very close!"