ALS is a family disease . Our story

I wanted to take a moment and just share a little about my dad, Bill . Although he is a devoted husband, father, grandpa and friend . There is way more to him then just those things! My Dad is a man of few words (unless he is into the rum then he has lots to say!) he spent years working construction and loves  keeping busy, to provide for his family, then he found a new joy in building Playgrounds . He has travelled to Belize and helped build playgrounds for kids who wouldn’t otherwise have one and brought joy to tons of kids here in Calgary . As us kids got older him and mom decided to finally take the trip they always dreamed of, Mexico! And really they have gone every year since. Dad loves going on adventures with mom, they have travelled quite a bit together in the last 10 years and have built tons of memories ! He loves little camping trips with all the grandkids and taking fishing and hunting adventures with his best friend Bryan . Dad and mom bought a big trailer just a year ago with plans of doing a lot of camping and traveling in the coming years . He has always been a very loyal, loving, provider and husband to the love of his life Angel . They met at a young age and although they have had their fair share of struggles throughout the years, they always seemed to stick together and figure things out . Their love for each other to this day is something that people only dream about or read about in books . They had so many plans after retirement in the next few years, unfortunately a lot of those dreams are no longer possible with dads diagnosis . I just wanted to talk a little about the man he is . Because he is so much more then a diagnosis , a disease , a paragraph on a page . He is a provider , an anchor , a husband , father , grandfather and friend to so many people . Thank you all for taking the time to read , share and donate . We love you Dad .


It’s with our heaviest hearts we inform you that our loving father, husband and grandpa has been diagnosed with ALS  . 


What is ALS?


Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or motor neuron disease) is a cruel disease that robs the patient of their ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. The cause is the brain's inability to communicate with the muscles in the body that we can move at will. This results in complete muscular atrophy. ALS  is a terminal disease with no cure .


We hoped we could get into a trial to at least give us some hope, but unfortunately given the current pandemic of COVID-19, the trials have been suspended leaving us with no hope. We are devistated and caught by complete surprise. Just last week we were working on our 3 year plan towards retirement and today our focus and efforts have shifted on trying to give our beloved Bill the most comfortable quality of life from now until the inevitable end. Given the advancement and fast progression of his disease we are forced to make a lot of immediate changes.  Currently we are in a home that will not accomodate is fast changing needs. We require a home that will accommodate a wheel chair ramp, an adjustable bed , shower/bathroom accommodations. This is all compounded by the cost of moving and trying to sell a house during the worst economy and pandemic. Although our pride asks us not to, we need your help . We need to get the things for our dad, husband and friend as soon as we can as time is not on our side, but we trust and hope that you can be. It’s very aggressive and it won’t be long until these things are necessary to help maintain some sort of quality of life. 


Although we are asking for your help and we appreciate it . We ask for our privacy as we adapt to this heartbreaking , unexpected reality that we have recently learned . Thank you all for your love and support. Please give what you can and/or share our story with your family and friends.