Help Jim McBain with his ALS
Donation protected
Everyone knows him. You may know him as Jim your friend, Jim your family member, Jim the gamer, or as Jim the foodie. Maybe you know him as your colleague Dr. James McBain, or maybe as your Professor at Pitt State University. The reality is he is all those things and more. So much more.
He is the most devoted husband to Rhona, an unbelievable dog dad, a loving son, a funny and caring uncle, and a Scotsman at his core. To me he is my little brother, my only sibling and the one who utterly understands my weird McBain sense of humor.
On December 29th, Jim was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS (some know it as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). And you may have watched, or even participated in, the viral sensation that was the ALS ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ which aimed to raise funds to find a cure.
ALS is a terribly cruel disease in which the nerve cells (neurons) controlling muscles that enable us to speak, breathe and swallow all undergo degeneration and die essentially leaving the patient a prisoner in their own body until they go into respiratory failure.
To say this is the hardest thing we have ever had to face is a gross understatement. How could anyone ever imagine this? The journey is emotionally exhausting for his family and friends as we watch our loved one wither away in a truly short period of time.
The medical staff at University of Kansas ALS Center is at the top of its game for treatment and care of patients, as well as ALS research. This is where Jim receives his care, also where ongoing and progressive clinical trials are being held.
Unfortunately, it is progressing quickly and currently Jim no longer has the use of his hands and right leg, he walks with a wheeled walker, has significantly impaired speech, and each day muscle weakness and fatigue shows itself in different ways. It is the most heartbreaking situation imaginable.
To add insult to injury, the medical care and equipment he needs is extraordinarily expensive. We are not sure how much longer he will be able to work and what that will mean for him from an insurance perspective, but even with insurance in force the costs are high. For example, right now his ventilator is $200 per month WITH insurance and $1000 without. He will need a motorized wheelchair, home hospital bed, a home health care worker, specialized communication equipment as he will no longer be able to speak…the list goes on and on.
This Go Fund Me page has been established for those interested in directly assisting with what will be a mountain of medical treatment, equipment, and related expenses that they will incur. If you would like to assist with their financial burden, any donation through this page would be greatly appreciated. Times are tough right now, so if you cannot, all we ask is that you share this page for us. All funds raised will go directly to Jim’s medical costs and related care expenses.
On behalf of Jim and Rhona, their closest friends, and the entire McBain and Shand family, I appreciate the outpouring of love and support shown over the past few weeks and undoubtedly, in the months to come. Your generosity is appreciated more than you know.
Updates will be posted on this page regularly.
He is the most devoted husband to Rhona, an unbelievable dog dad, a loving son, a funny and caring uncle, and a Scotsman at his core. To me he is my little brother, my only sibling and the one who utterly understands my weird McBain sense of humor.
On December 29th, Jim was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS (some know it as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). And you may have watched, or even participated in, the viral sensation that was the ALS ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ which aimed to raise funds to find a cure.
ALS is a terribly cruel disease in which the nerve cells (neurons) controlling muscles that enable us to speak, breathe and swallow all undergo degeneration and die essentially leaving the patient a prisoner in their own body until they go into respiratory failure.
To say this is the hardest thing we have ever had to face is a gross understatement. How could anyone ever imagine this? The journey is emotionally exhausting for his family and friends as we watch our loved one wither away in a truly short period of time.
The medical staff at University of Kansas ALS Center is at the top of its game for treatment and care of patients, as well as ALS research. This is where Jim receives his care, also where ongoing and progressive clinical trials are being held.
Unfortunately, it is progressing quickly and currently Jim no longer has the use of his hands and right leg, he walks with a wheeled walker, has significantly impaired speech, and each day muscle weakness and fatigue shows itself in different ways. It is the most heartbreaking situation imaginable.
To add insult to injury, the medical care and equipment he needs is extraordinarily expensive. We are not sure how much longer he will be able to work and what that will mean for him from an insurance perspective, but even with insurance in force the costs are high. For example, right now his ventilator is $200 per month WITH insurance and $1000 without. He will need a motorized wheelchair, home hospital bed, a home health care worker, specialized communication equipment as he will no longer be able to speak…the list goes on and on.
This Go Fund Me page has been established for those interested in directly assisting with what will be a mountain of medical treatment, equipment, and related expenses that they will incur. If you would like to assist with their financial burden, any donation through this page would be greatly appreciated. Times are tough right now, so if you cannot, all we ask is that you share this page for us. All funds raised will go directly to Jim’s medical costs and related care expenses.
On behalf of Jim and Rhona, their closest friends, and the entire McBain and Shand family, I appreciate the outpouring of love and support shown over the past few weeks and undoubtedly, in the months to come. Your generosity is appreciated more than you know.
Updates will be posted on this page regularly.
Organizer and beneficiary
Janice McBain Kenkel
Organizer
Pittsburg, KS
Rhona Shand McBain
Beneficiary