Dorreen’s ALS journey

My name is Kelli, the only daughter of Dorreen and Steve Couture. My mom started having problems with her speech and swallowing back in November of 2022. At first, doctors thought she may have had a stroke. MRIs and brain scans ruled out the possibility of a stroke. After numerous appointments with different doctors and specialists, and undergoing several tests and studies we were finally given her diagnosis of ALS, better known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease”. Although we are happy to finally have a diagnosis, we are absolutely devastated at the same time. ALS is a progressive disease that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which control the muscles throughout the body. When these nerve cells (also called motor neurons) die, the brain can no longer send impulses (messages) to the muscle fibers that normally result in muscle movement. In ALS patients, death is inevitable, with respiratory failure being the most frequent cause of death. There is no cure!

The reason we decided to set up a Fundraiser is because my mom WILL eventually lose her strength in her arms and legs and need a wheelchair. For those of you who do not know, my mom and dad elevated their house after Hurricane Katrina, and there are 14 steps to get up before you can enter the house. Being confined to a wheelchair, my mom will not be able to get in the house without an elevator. Insurance doesn’t not cover the expense of the elevator even though it is medically necessary for her to get to and from her ALS Clinic Appointments, Therapy Appointments, and other doctors appointments. They will also need to purchase a vehicle that is wheelchair accessible. The grants that are available for ALS patients are minimal. I have contacted a number of companies that manufacture and install the elevators, and they cost anywhere between $15,000-$25,000. Being on a fixed income because both of them are retired, there’s no way they could afford to pay for the elevator without some help. There will be other renovations to the house that will be needed to make sure my mom is safe and comfortable for as long as she is here with us. We are asking for your prayers and support as we continue on this journey. All donations are greatly appreciated and will go directly to my parents.