Help Frank support others while living with ALS

Brother Frank Albrecht, pictured here with his walker, is an incredibly dynamic and inspiring person who has dedicated his life to serving others (if you've met him, you know that's how he greets everyone!). He is also my father. Frank was diagnosed with ALS (click here to learn more about ALS) in June 2023, and has just subsequently become wheelchair dependent in November 2023. His first goal is to continue supporting students as a teacher at Lancaster city’s McCaskey high school through the end of the year, and his second is a summer road trip to see family one final time after the school year is finished next summer.

Having supported his sister after her diagnosis of ALS in 2016, we can anticipate what is to come. We recognize that completing these goals while being in a wheelchair in an environment that is not accessible is a monumental task. We also recognize that out-of-pocket costs for individuals with ALS can easily surpass $250,000. With this fundraiser, we would like to provide an avenue for people who are able and interested in supporting Brother Frank, in small or large ways financially, as he continues to serve his community with the remaining time that he has.

About Brother Frank’s Life’s work

We've alluded to the fact that Brother Frank has dedicated his life to serving others. Here is a brief description of the way he has served others over the years:

"In 1988 I noticed students congregating on our street corner of S. Ann and Dauphin (where we lived) and after the off-duty police officers captured a bunch of them one night for violence and gang involvement, I went down to the corner and asked them if they would like to get off the asphalt and into the mountains for a weekend camping. They said, “Yes!” So for the next 8 years we went on yearly trips. I now see these men in the community, and many of them have had students here at McCaskey, the high school where I teach, that they want me to look out for, and one of them is now my mailman! When I walk down the street, I often recognize my former and current students. They shout 'Brother Albrecht!' across the street and we catch up.

In 1990 I also started a mediation program at McCaskey after a student was paralyzed by a being knifed over spilled soup. To date, I have trained 32 mediators every year for 25 years (except for the years I was in Colombia). They perform 350 peer mediations a year; we mediate between students, students and teachers, and teacher, administrators—everyone! My official role is that of student facilitator and it has been my honor to support generations of McCaskey students and Lancaster residents in this way for decades.

I support my students inside and outside of the classroom. For decades, I have stood in front of the school and greeted hundreds of students, by name, every morning. Now, in my my wheelchair, I sit inside the high school lobby and continue to greet students on the daily. Here I am tossing my hat after McCaskey scores a touchdown during possibly my last homecoming game. I go to every single McCaskey game (football, basketball, powderpuff games) that I can, and I will continue to do so!

During the first year of the pandemic, I was given a list of 25 students that would not graduate unless they finished a large number of online courses. I visited every student nearly every day, giving 45 minute pep talks from the sidewalk and guess what? All 25 seniors graduated on time!

Every morning, I used to clean the streets in my neighborhood in an activity I call "plogging" (picking up trash while jogging). I stopped plogging in July because of my condition, and I'm sad to say, the streets have accumulated more trash than I have seen before.

I am married to the wonderful Elizabeth Soto who has been a phenomenal lifetime companion. We were blessed with 2 daughters, Yentli Soto Albrecht and Sara Albrecht Soto. In addition to serving our community in Lancaster, we supported church and housing communities in Armenia and Bogotá, Colombia for 7 years while they were children. We have continued to support South American families financially and spiritually for decades. While in Colombia, I learned Spanish which I have used to communicate with my Puerto Rican in-laws and to record a weekly Spanish radio show on how to raise families in a non-violent, loving manner.

I retired this year from being a youth leader at church, after 42 years of being an advisor. I have loved this responsibility because I get to work closely with families of youth who are struggling, and help encourage those who are doing well to strive even higher! I have performed many home visits every year during my career as a supporter of students—when there is a need, I am there.

I can hardly believe I am telling people that this is my last year teaching! In the picture below, the School District of Lancaster recognized me for my years of service this August. Since I was diagnosed with ALS this summer, I do believe this is a sign that I need to be retiring at the end of this school year. I often said, “I want to work until I drop over!” This actually could happen, although I truly hope it does not! I will go as long as I can, as long as I am still effective in helping students make changes to improve the quality of their lives. As long as I can, I will support families in need at home and abroad. As long as I can, I will support members of my community that have given so much to me my entire life."

Thank you all for your ongoing thoughts, prayers, and support in every way to make this difficult time a little easier and to be able to give back to an individual that has given so much to the world around him. Below, we detail the specific needs and how we would apply aid.

- Brother Frank and his family (Elizabeth, Yentli, Sara, Sam and Patrick)

About the Needs

ALS is a very expensive disease, in ways both figurative and literal. Because of its progressive nature, we are constantly readjusting our reality to new norms. Brother Frank has already used all his savings in making the first floor accommodations for his condition. We have reached out for donated equipment and been blessed with an electric wheelchair, and after an expensive deductible, the rest of his four ALS medications are covered for the remainder of the year. Our community even built us a ramp so I can get into our home, as seen below! Still, the demands are on-going now that he cannot stand or walk—how will we transport him between seats, prevent bed sores, make environments wheelchair accessible, and help him fulfill his final goals of life of finishing the school year and visiting his family?

The ultimate goal is that Brother Frank live life to the fullest without prohibitive barriers. His ALS is quickly limiting him and his ability to help others—more than he (and we) alone can overcome. My family would welcome support in myriad ways, from meals, to helping Frank get around, driving on the summer 2024 road trip (June 10-July 13), accessible RV or wheelchair van loans, to helping with household activities. If you are willing and able to give financially, your contribution would go directly to the following items and breakdowns. Any specialized items that we acquire, we will donate forward to other individuals with ALS/neurodegenerative disease when Frank no longer needs them.

Medical/mobility: 80%

● A moveable mattress that allows my father to get out of bed and control his positioning ($2,800).

● An electronic Hoyer Lift (insurance only pays for a mechanical one; $2,500).

● Making a bathroom wheelchair accessible ($8,000—this is the only item already paid for).

● A wheelchair van ($20-40,000); we would very strongly prefer to borrow one instead and welcome any assistance or insight in acquiring one.

● And ICU bed that would autorotate Frank and prevent bed sores ($5,000 on eBay).

● Portable wheelchair ramps ($400).

● A ROHO air wheelchair seat to prevent sores since he is sitting for over 16 hours a day ($400).

● Home care ($30 per hour for as many hours per day/week/month/year we can muster). Many individuals with ALS rely on their partners to care for them when they can no longer care for themselves. However, my mom is unable to lift him, which is essential to support activities for daily living. 24/7 care would cost $18,000 per month; we will provide as much as we possibly can in the year(s) to come.

Memories: 10%

● A one-week beach wheelchair rental while we are in Puerto Rico for the holidays with family ($400).

● A road trip to visit friends and family June-July 2024 (up to $15,000 for 5-7 people); we could also use drivers, an ADA compliant RV, and helping hands if anyone wants to join for part of it.

Brother Frank’s contingency for this GoFundMe: Supporting other families in need: 10%

● While Frank isn't able to support the families he knows are in need in the same way (bring them food, furniture, and clothing), he is excited by the opportunity to donate a subset of his raised funds to them for as long as he can.