ALS is terminal.  Getting this news is equated to being handed a death
sentence.  No effective treatments and no cure for far too long. 

In January of 2018 my mom was diagnosed with bulbar palsy presentation of ALS.  It took nearly a year and a half to arrive at this diagnosis while she
continued to decline, losing her ability to speak, and struggled to
swallow.  She lost weight, fell multiple times, breaking her ribs, wrist,
fingers.  She endured multiple invasive procedures in an attempt to stave
off the devastating effects of this disease.  She experienced multiple
choking episodes and waves of panic on a daily basis.  Yes, I paint a horrible
picture.  Imagine now that is your reality.

Mom was determined to complete the 1 mile ALS walk last year.  She accomplished
just that on September 8, 2018.  Weak and gaunt with an unwavering spirit
she pushed her walker across the finish line.  Just over two weeks later
she entered hospice.  She died on September 29, 2018 at age 64.