My Dad's battle with ALS was short, but valiant. It was a six month whirlwind and when it was over, I was left looking for a way to help process the loss and at the same time, do something for others who are impacted by ALS. That's when I found the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS. I hadn't biked in years and even then, it was a cruiser bike with my baby in the seat on the front of it. I signed up, set a fundraising goal, wrote my dad's story and started sending e-mails to friends and family. The support was overwhelming. I completed my first 62 mile ride with my best friend by my side and my family at the finish line in 2016. It was exhilarating. An accomplishment which was personal, yet impactful for the many people affected by ALS. Bonus is that I found a new hobby which I love. In honor of my Dad, I am participating in the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS in September for the fourth year. This year I am doing 62 mile again, and I continue to play a role on the ALS Ride Committee to do my part in making this ride the best it can be!
As I prepare for my fourth ride, the loss of my Dad still hits me hard on certain days. Watching my kids reach milestones is difficult. Dad will never see those milestones, these momentous occasions which he would have been so proud to watch. ALS has taken that opportunity from him and so many others. This is what drives me to work harder to help the ALS Association in its mission to discover treatments and cures for ALS, while serving, advocating and empowering people affected by ALS, so that they can live their lives to the fullest.
My father was an avid horseman for his entire life. He taught us to ride at an early age, and one of his core principles was that we needed to get back on the horse if we were thrown off. This was true not only with the actual horse, but also with life in general. When he was struck with ALS in 2015, it was sudden and swift. He could no longer physically get back on the horse, but mentally, he was not giving up. He fought and kept his focus and after a valiant six month battle, the fight was over for him. That is where I took on the fight. I decided to take the grief and pain of losing someone so special, and turn it into something good. That is when I found the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS.
I am excited to be able to give back and help ensure that others do not need to suffer the same loss that our family did. Please join me in this mission. If you can, please support me on this ride---every single dollar counts towards our $1 million dollar goal, or if you are so inclined, join Team Al with me, or come and volunteer at the ride that day! If you would like to donate, please do so on this page.
I ride for those who cannot ride, so that they can be there to see their children and grandchildren grow and thrive. I ride for my Dad, Al. I ride to defeat ALS. Thank you for your support! It means so much.
For those of you who are interested, here's my father's story:
As many of you know, my father lost his battle with ALS in December 2015. In the Spring he was still training horses, in July he was diagnosed with ALS, by late summer he could barely use his upper extremities and by Thanksgiving he was completely dependent on others for everything. He was no longer able to move his arms or legs and started to lose his ability to speak clearly. It was harder to swallow, which made eating more challenging as well. I spent some time helping to care for him and I couldn't help but think that it was so strange and upsetting.....just surreal. It was just like caring for my kids when they were babies. The only exception was that Dad could actually talk...another cruelty of this disease. As you lose one function at a time, your mental capacities remain completely intact, so you understand exactly what is happening to you and wonder what will go next. It was a whirlwind of events and then one night, a week before Christmas and three months shy of his 70th birthday, he passed away. Just like that, less than six months later and he was gone.
How does that happen? How does one go from able-bodied and active to being completely bed ridden unable to even hold a utensil and move one's arms to eat a meal or simply walk to the bathroom? The answer is ALS. ALS is how that happens. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is an incurable, progressive neurodegenerative disease. It is one of the most common neuromuscular diseases in the world. ALS affects about 4 people for every 100,000 people in the United States. Once it starts it eventually takes away the ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, and breathe and shortens the life span significantly. The life expectancy typically ranges from 3 to 5 years after diagnosis. There is no cure and the cause of ALS is unknown.
Thank you for your support!
Janelle
PS: Please remember that your donation is tax deductible and keep in mind that some employers will match your donation. I did my due diligence in picking this charity and found that the ALS Association has a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator. This is a designation that only 7% of charitable organizations receive. Only 4.8% of their budget goes toward administration, which is great! For more information, check out Charity Navigator at the link below. Just copy and paste it into your browser, as I can't seem to get a link to work. Sorry!
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3296
Prefer to make a donation by check? Click here for a printable donation form!
