Help Keep Jon Moving Forward
Donation protected
Dear Friends & Family,
As many of you know, this past spring Jon was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It’s a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disease that eventually leaves the patient unable to live without complete assistance. As a family, we have been humbled by all the love, encouragement, and support we have received from our friends and family.
A special shout out to Christ Lutheran Church, Valparaiso University Chemistry Department, friends, & family that have provided an endless stream of workdays, assistance with daily activities, and meal preparation. We also want to recognize People’s Community Health Clinic staff, Eric & I’s office managers, and the Mohler and Ferrer families for providing flexibility and understanding in our work schedule and for always being there for Deb, Eric, and I. You have shown us what a true community looks like and we could not be managing the real impacts of ALS without you. Thank you!
As part of our fight against ALS, we are trying to stay one step ahead of the disease and keep Jon moving and independent for as long as possible. This involves constant changes in living modifications and incorporating assistive technology.
We encountered the Alinker Walking Bike as part of our research into mobility devices. We were blown away by the ingenuity and mission of the Alinker. Its tricycle design lends stability to the rider while the ease with which it can be folded makes it highly portable. It is extra special, because Eric and I’s childhood revolved around biking, camping, hiking, kayaking, and skiing with our parents. Its yellow color is also fitting. Yellow was a reoccurring theme for our adventures: from Jon’s famous yellow ski jacket to countless yellow kayaks. Jon recently had to donate his beloved commuter bike due to poor balance, but we are hoping to give him a new bike and keep him moving forward with this Alinker Walking Bike.
For more information about the Alinker Walking Bike check out the below video and web page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhPChBdvNTk
https://www.thealinker.com/
We are setting up this fundraiser, because many of you have asked how you could help and, up until now, we haven’t had much of an answer except to thank you for the support. If you feel moved to donate towards the Alinker Bike, thank you so much! But this post is really to recognize everything you guys have already been doing for us.
UPDATE: as always you guys have gone above and beyond, and we raised the Alinker bike funds in less than 24hr. Any additional funds raised will be used to support in the cost of a service dog. We are currently in the process of talking with different training facilities to receive one of these wonderful animals.
http://web.alsa.org/site/PageNavigator/paws_to_consider.html
https://alsnewstoday.com/2017/05/18/service-dogs-can-benefit-people-neuromuscular-diseases/
We are blessed.
Jon, Deb, Eric, and Kathryn


As many of you know, this past spring Jon was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It’s a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disease that eventually leaves the patient unable to live without complete assistance. As a family, we have been humbled by all the love, encouragement, and support we have received from our friends and family.
A special shout out to Christ Lutheran Church, Valparaiso University Chemistry Department, friends, & family that have provided an endless stream of workdays, assistance with daily activities, and meal preparation. We also want to recognize People’s Community Health Clinic staff, Eric & I’s office managers, and the Mohler and Ferrer families for providing flexibility and understanding in our work schedule and for always being there for Deb, Eric, and I. You have shown us what a true community looks like and we could not be managing the real impacts of ALS without you. Thank you!
As part of our fight against ALS, we are trying to stay one step ahead of the disease and keep Jon moving and independent for as long as possible. This involves constant changes in living modifications and incorporating assistive technology.
We encountered the Alinker Walking Bike as part of our research into mobility devices. We were blown away by the ingenuity and mission of the Alinker. Its tricycle design lends stability to the rider while the ease with which it can be folded makes it highly portable. It is extra special, because Eric and I’s childhood revolved around biking, camping, hiking, kayaking, and skiing with our parents. Its yellow color is also fitting. Yellow was a reoccurring theme for our adventures: from Jon’s famous yellow ski jacket to countless yellow kayaks. Jon recently had to donate his beloved commuter bike due to poor balance, but we are hoping to give him a new bike and keep him moving forward with this Alinker Walking Bike.
For more information about the Alinker Walking Bike check out the below video and web page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhPChBdvNTk
https://www.thealinker.com/
We are setting up this fundraiser, because many of you have asked how you could help and, up until now, we haven’t had much of an answer except to thank you for the support. If you feel moved to donate towards the Alinker Bike, thank you so much! But this post is really to recognize everything you guys have already been doing for us.
UPDATE: as always you guys have gone above and beyond, and we raised the Alinker bike funds in less than 24hr. Any additional funds raised will be used to support in the cost of a service dog. We are currently in the process of talking with different training facilities to receive one of these wonderful animals.
http://web.alsa.org/site/PageNavigator/paws_to_consider.html
https://alsnewstoday.com/2017/05/18/service-dogs-can-benefit-people-neuromuscular-diseases/
We are blessed.
Jon, Deb, Eric, and Kathryn
Organizer
Kathryn Schoer
Organizer
Valparaiso, IN