Mobility

Being mobile with ALS

I never realized how much my military service would end up helping so many years later. I didn't retire from service, I spent four great years in the Army. So I count my blessings, even though I have ALS, because we have help from the Veterans Administration which provides much of what we need to manage this disease. From prescriptions to nontaxable income, from providing a power chair to giving help with buying a vehicle for chair. I was diagnosed September 2018 and by early 2019 I was using a walker. It allowed me to move around safely for a while and then in August I

by Joe
Bathroom

Bathroom Use with ALS

One of the most disruptive issues to our daily routine became bathroom trips. The more strength I lost, the more disruptive it was. When I was still using a walker it was very little problem. My wife and I would use family bathrooms when out and about. Once I was in the power chair, complexity was added. Early on I was able to lift myself, with the help of my wife Julie, from the chair to the toilet. Once I lost that strength then a gait belt had to be used. Julie is unable to lift me so my brother Mark helps with that. Imagine the limitations once a gait belt is needed

by Joe