Artist with ALS Needs Help to Stay in his Home
Donation protected
John L'Esperance's story is a remarkable one. It's about the triumph of the human spirit over profound challenge. It's a story of hope and despair, faith and doubt, and the stubborn quest to stay alive in the face of insurmountable odds. His long-time survival demonstrates that John is a living miracle...a miracle of positivity and resilience...a man with a can-do attitude whose epic struggle deserves to be shared with the world.
In 1996, after a year of spent seeking answers to his puzzling physical symptoms, John was finally diagnosed with A.L.S., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and given two years to live. In short order, he lost everything that had once defined his life: his health, his marriage, daily interaction with his young son, his home, the business he'd built from scratch, and very nearly, his sanity.
As his life turned upside down, he was forced to reassess every facet of his existence. The search for an answer to his medical dilemma didn't exist in conventional Western medicine as there aren't any treatments...or a cure...for the disease. It is terminal.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, he set off on a quest for an answer to his impossible plight. Now, nearlytwenty-five years later, disabled but miraculously still alive, the fantastic story of his unprecedented survival can be found in his memoir, "Will to Endure: Surviving Terminal Illness by Extraordinary Means," available on Amazon.com.
Today, John is an artist, unschooled and self-trained, utilizing found objects and reclaimed materials to construct multi-dimensional, mixed media art. John says that art has become his voice, speaking what he can no longer say. His latest pieces consist of abstract steel sculptures and mark a bold new direction in his work. His artwork is available to purchase and can be seen on his website at johnlesperance.com.
Confined to a wheelchair and speaking impaired, yet undaunted, John relies on printed instructions typed on a computer, an alphabet card to spell out basic words, along with his own form of sign language to communicate his needs and artistic directions to assistants who build John's art pieces. While it's an arduous and painstaking way to make art, John is quick to point out just how grateful he is to still be able to bring his creations to life.
His two wonderful caregivers make it possible for him to continue living in the home he's occupied for the past twenty plus years. Friends helped modify it to make it accessible for his wheelchair. The house and yard double as his studio/gallery/sculpture park, providing John all he needs to function at an optimum level every day. He often says how blessed he feels to live in such a quiet and beautiful setting.
But it comes at a cost. John's monthly overhead has steadily increased with the level of assistance he now requires. He's exhausted his savings and seen a recent drop in his monthly income. He needs help in order to continue paying his bills so he can remain in his home and continue to create compelling art.
Time is of the essence. He needs your help NOW. John has always provided for himself and felt an obligation to help others less fortunate. Now he's joined their ranks. His decades long medical challenge has taught him to have tremendous gratitude at the simple joy of being blessed with another day of life. John's wonderful attitude provides inspiration to many others.
Your kind, supportive donation will help John cover his expenses and allow him to stay in his home, insuring that he isn't forced to move away from the calm space that has had so much to do with his phenomenal survival.
John extends his heartfelt thanks to each of you and sends you his love!
In 1996, after a year of spent seeking answers to his puzzling physical symptoms, John was finally diagnosed with A.L.S., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and given two years to live. In short order, he lost everything that had once defined his life: his health, his marriage, daily interaction with his young son, his home, the business he'd built from scratch, and very nearly, his sanity.
As his life turned upside down, he was forced to reassess every facet of his existence. The search for an answer to his medical dilemma didn't exist in conventional Western medicine as there aren't any treatments...or a cure...for the disease. It is terminal.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, he set off on a quest for an answer to his impossible plight. Now, nearlytwenty-five years later, disabled but miraculously still alive, the fantastic story of his unprecedented survival can be found in his memoir, "Will to Endure: Surviving Terminal Illness by Extraordinary Means," available on Amazon.com.
Today, John is an artist, unschooled and self-trained, utilizing found objects and reclaimed materials to construct multi-dimensional, mixed media art. John says that art has become his voice, speaking what he can no longer say. His latest pieces consist of abstract steel sculptures and mark a bold new direction in his work. His artwork is available to purchase and can be seen on his website at johnlesperance.com.
Confined to a wheelchair and speaking impaired, yet undaunted, John relies on printed instructions typed on a computer, an alphabet card to spell out basic words, along with his own form of sign language to communicate his needs and artistic directions to assistants who build John's art pieces. While it's an arduous and painstaking way to make art, John is quick to point out just how grateful he is to still be able to bring his creations to life.
His two wonderful caregivers make it possible for him to continue living in the home he's occupied for the past twenty plus years. Friends helped modify it to make it accessible for his wheelchair. The house and yard double as his studio/gallery/sculpture park, providing John all he needs to function at an optimum level every day. He often says how blessed he feels to live in such a quiet and beautiful setting.
But it comes at a cost. John's monthly overhead has steadily increased with the level of assistance he now requires. He's exhausted his savings and seen a recent drop in his monthly income. He needs help in order to continue paying his bills so he can remain in his home and continue to create compelling art.
Time is of the essence. He needs your help NOW. John has always provided for himself and felt an obligation to help others less fortunate. Now he's joined their ranks. His decades long medical challenge has taught him to have tremendous gratitude at the simple joy of being blessed with another day of life. John's wonderful attitude provides inspiration to many others.
Your kind, supportive donation will help John cover his expenses and allow him to stay in his home, insuring that he isn't forced to move away from the calm space that has had so much to do with his phenomenal survival.
John extends his heartfelt thanks to each of you and sends you his love!
Organizer
John L'Esperance
Organizer
Seattle, WA