Help Patrick to enjoy life with ALS

Hi everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read about one of my favorite people and one of earth’s good humans.

Patrick has been riding with my riding stable since 2013, but he actually started riding therapeutically when he was 3. He has been a staple here at Lear Stables, every weekend Patrick has been here with breakfast for everyone, willing to lend a hand with any project imaginable-helping kids get their horses saddled, cutting down a dangerous tree, repairing broken things on the farm, grooming the horses, cleaning tack. Any time there is a storm, the first text I get is from Patrick asking me if the farm is ok and if I need any help.

A lifelong animal lover, Patrick also spent some time raising and showing cows through 4H. He has 4 rescued newfoundlands, a husky and a boxer mix and is very dedicated to their care.

Patrick has always helped his family and friends in times of need, and loves being outside. Snow blowing for his elderly 90 year old neighbor, mowing lawns, any task he can help with. He is very dedicated to his family, family history, and helping anyone and everyone.

Patrick is only 27 years old, a 2015 graduate of Normand Howard School, and a dedicated volunteer with the Damascus Shriners. He has helped fundraise for the Pennsylvania Hospital for Children for 8 years.

Patrick was just diagnosed with ALS. It has all happened so quickly-he was jumping cross country with us and traveling to horse shows in June of 2022, right before symptoms started. He was asked to stop working in November 2022. By Christmas, he was using a walker. Now, he is completely dependent on a wheelchair, something that I know has kept him indoors and limited his independence, two things that have to be extremely hard for him. We cannot let Patrick lose hope, and we need to rally together to help him the way he would do for a friend or stranger alike.

I know Patrick would benefit so much from a wheelchair van (approx $40,000) and an all terrain power chair (approx 3,000), things that are so crucial for quality of life, getting him back outdoors and out with the people and animals he loves, but insurance disagrees. We have such a wonderful community, I am so hopeful we can raise these funds (everything is going directly to his family) to help get Patrick on the move again!

Thank you so much for your generosity and words of support. If you cannot donate right now, please consider sharing this.