Greg Canter Adapting to Living with ALS
Donation protected
In 2018 Greg Canter recieved a diagnosis that shook his entire world. Who knew that 3 letters would strip you of everything! ALS (Lou Gehrigs) does exactly that. Greg has held his pride and refused to ask for help but on August 9th his wife decided to leave Greg to endure this journey and fight on his own. He has now set aside pride and is allowing those whom love him rally together to help him. On average a diagnosee faces $250,000 in medical cost per year, and that's JUST MEDICAL. Greg NEEDS our help to make adaptations in his home and help easing the financial hardship that he is facing. Take a moment and put yourself here...Pick up a 10-pound weight. Now imagine it’s your fork and move it from your plate to your mouth repeatedly without shaking.
Sit in a chair for just 15 minutes moving nothing but your eyes. Nothing. No speaking, no scratching your nose, no shifting your weight, no changing the channel on the television, no computer work. Only your eyes. As you sit, imagine: this is your life. Your only life.
Borrow a wheelchair or power scooter and try to maneuver quickly through the aisles at Walmart, without speaking. Note the way people react to you.
Strap 25 pounds to your forearm. Now, adjust your rearview mirror.
Using none of your own muscles, have your spouse or child or friend get you dressed and brush your teeth. Write down some of the feelings you have being cared for in this way.
Before you eat your next meal, take a good, long look at the food. Inhale deeply and appreciate the aroma. Now, imagine never being able to taste that – or any other food – for the rest of your life.
Put two large marshmallows in your mouth and have a conversation with your friends. How many times must you repeat yourself? How does this make you feel?
Go to bed and stay in one position for as long as you possibly can, moving nothing.
Strap weights to your ankles and climb a flight of stairs, taking two at a time. That’s the kind of strength it takes for someone with ALS to tackle the stairs on a good day.
Install a text-to-speech app on your phone or iPad and use it exclusively to communicate for one day.
Sit in a chair for just 15 minutes moving nothing but your eyes. Nothing. No speaking, no scratching your nose, no shifting your weight, no changing the channel on the television, no computer work. Only your eyes. As you sit, imagine: this is your life. Your only life.
Borrow a wheelchair or power scooter and try to maneuver quickly through the aisles at Walmart, without speaking. Note the way people react to you.
Strap 25 pounds to your forearm. Now, adjust your rearview mirror.
Using none of your own muscles, have your spouse or child or friend get you dressed and brush your teeth. Write down some of the feelings you have being cared for in this way.
Before you eat your next meal, take a good, long look at the food. Inhale deeply and appreciate the aroma. Now, imagine never being able to taste that – or any other food – for the rest of your life.
Put two large marshmallows in your mouth and have a conversation with your friends. How many times must you repeat yourself? How does this make you feel?
Go to bed and stay in one position for as long as you possibly can, moving nothing.
Strap weights to your ankles and climb a flight of stairs, taking two at a time. That’s the kind of strength it takes for someone with ALS to tackle the stairs on a good day.
Install a text-to-speech app on your phone or iPad and use it exclusively to communicate for one day.
Organizer and beneficiary
LaurenLee Keeney
Organizer
Bethel, OH
Greg Canter
Beneficiary