In March of 2022 Yansong noticed that his legs were getting weaker, and that he felt different somehow…different from how he normally felt. By Fall of 2022 Yansong explained that the weakness was increasing and others noticed he was limping. He recalls that during this time his muscles began to shake.
In the months to follow, Yansong attended appointments with his family doctor, had a visit to an emergency department, underwent many diagnostic tests, and consulted with a neurologist in Calgary. In April of 2023 Yansong was diagnosed with ALS. As Yansong says, never did he imagine his journey to discover what was happening to him would result in a diagnosis of ALS.
Yansong and his wife, Lisa, are people of deep faith and Yansong says that it is their faith that helped them to cope when Yansong received his ALS diagnosis. It continues to help them cope and navigate the challenges of living with ALS.
He says that without their faith, their trust in God, and their belief in eternal life, the diagnosis of ALS and worrisome thoughts of what’s to come would be overwhelming and scary. Instead Yansong’s deep trust in God gives him a sense of hope, peace, and calm.
This faith is coupled with an incredibly supportive faith community whose prayers and support ease his and Lisa’s journey tremendously.
Yansong is grateful for the equipment he has received through the ALS Society of Alberta’s Equipment Loan Program and said that it also helps to ease his journey living with ALS. He says that the equipment allows him to manage living at home and makes it easier for his wife Lisa to care for him.
The Bluetooth enabled controller on his power wheelchair (on loan from the ALS Society of Alberta) allows Yansong to read his email and browse the internet. This power wheelchair enables him to enjoy outings where he can connect with friends and members of his community.
Yansong acknowledges that the fact that there is no cure for ALS (yet) is, of course, very discouraging, but he says that, for him, this harsh reality is balanced by the support he receives from Home Care, the ALS Clinic, and the ALS Society of Alberta. He describes this support as positive and encouraging and says that he is grateful for it from the bottom of his heart.