HELP WILLIAM WITH HIS FIGHT AGAINST ALS

On behalf of Arely and the rest of the family, I would like to say we will always be grateful for your support. William fought ALS with the help of family and friends, but specially with the help of Arely, his loving wife of 8 years. We can’t put into words how grateful we are for every donation that we received, helping us pay Patty’s salary, monthly medicine expenses and purchase the necessary equipment to improve William’s quality of life. Thanks to your donations, William was able to communicate important medical decisions through an eye tracking device. Soon ALS, along with all other diseases, will be a thing of the past and “death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” (Revelation 21:4). We love you all! - Magali Castro

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William and my sister, Arely, moved to Hidalgo, Mexico, in September 2019 to do volunteer work. William was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) six months later. Over the past two years, William’s health has changed drastically, and he has become entirely dependent on his wife and loved ones. Although there is medicine to help slow down symptoms, there is no cure. William and Arely currently reside in Hidalgo, Mexico, where medical assistance, particularly for ALS, is minimal. They don’t have access to health insurance to help defray the cost of William’s care. The cost of care is extremely expensive, ranging from $100,000 - $200,000 USD every year. (Rilutek, the daily medicine William takes, costs around $830 USD/month). That is why we are turning to GoFundMe, to help provide William with a better quality of life and the necessary tools for Arely to better care for him.

 

 

 

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. According to als.org, "When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. When voluntary muscle action is progressively affected, people may lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe”. Simple tasks like getting out of bed, brushing your teeth, drinking water, walking, sitting down/up etc., become impossible.

Thanks to the generosity of many loved ones, William has a powered wheelchair, improving his mobility and independence. William and Arely can enjoy “walks” together once again. However, as ALS progress, the needs increase. Arely requires daily assistance to get William in/out of bed, the wheelchair, and the car. A power patient lift would tremendously help Arely move William safely and securely for both of them. William will soon face surgery to obtain a feeding tube, for he has lost the ability to eat. All the doctor's appointments at the various hospitals in Mexico City have become a burden since their vehicle is not wheelchair friendly. The funds raised will be used to obtain a wheelchair-accessible van for safe transport. Speech-generating devices typically cost around $15,000. This device will allow William to clearly express himself to the doctors, friends and family.

 

 

William is an active and enthusiastic husband, brother and friend. He enjoyed dancing salsa and merengue with Arely, his loving wife of eight years. They thrive in the company of others, playing soccer, board games, and singing. The summer usually meant swimming in the ocean or playing volleyball at the beach. One of William’s favorite dishes from El Salvador is “pupusas,” but everyone knows William will eat anything. However, what brings him the most joy, is doing volunteer work for the community with his wife, his “Flaquita,” Arely. Despite his condition, William enjoys showing care and concern for others through phone calls or text messages, using his computer to communicate.

 

Over the years, William and Arely have cultivated qualities like patience and kindness. Through these difficult times, they continue to take the lead in showing each other honor and, most importantly, love, one day at a time.

As we hold dear the hope of never seeing our loved ones sick, we thank you for taking the time to read this story. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Thank you for prayerfully considering your circumstances to help us care for William’s urgent medical needs and provide him with the best quality of life possible.

 

We have included a list of ongoing expenses we foresee. As funds become available, money will be forwarded to William and Arely using Western Union, or PayPal. Equipment may also be purchased in the USA and shipped to Mexico.

• Suction machine supplies

• Power patient lift

• Wheelchair-accessible van

• Monthly medicine expenses

• Travel expenses to Mexico City

• At-home physical therapist

• Future tracheotomy surgery

• Eye-tracking software to communicate and drive a wheelchair

• Unforeseen medical expenses

THANKS TO YOUR DONATIONS:

• A gastronomy tube (G-tube) surgery was performed June 15th, 2022

• A powered bed to promote better circulation and prevent body sores was purchased June 26, 2022

• Monthly medicine expenses are being covered

• A cough assist machine was purchased, along with an oxygen machine and nebulizer

 

 

*UNA NOTA EN ESPAÑOL* Queremos darles las gracias por todo lo que han hecho para ayudar al cuidado de William. Como muchos de ustedes se han dado cuenta, la voz de William, y sus fuerzas han disminuido tremendamente. Aunque mantiene una actitud positiva y su buen sentido del humor, su salud está cambiando. 

William pronto necesitará una cirugía para obtener una sonda que le permitirá comer pues no puede ingerir comida sólida. Mientras su voz se debilita cada vez más, un sistema de voz computarizado le permitirá seguir comunicándose con nosotros y los doctores. Su ayuda siempre a sido apreciada, pues sabemos que sacan de su tiempo para regalarle mensajes de texto y llamadas con palabras animadoras. Por favor, continúen haciendo eso, pues como sabemos, “las palabras agradables son un panal de miel, dulces para el alma y curativas para los huesos”. 

Arriba hemos incluido una lista de algunos gastos que vemos venir. ¡Gracias por toda su ayuda!