Ken Compton's ALS Journey
Donation protected
There are more 328 million people in the United States. This year 5,000 of them will be diagnosed with ALS.
My 55-year-old father Ken Compton is one of them.
He does not complain. I’ve never heard him ask, “why me?” My dad is a giver. He has never asked for help from anyone.
Until now.
I live and work in California. Last March when I got a phone call from my dad in Indiana I thought we would talk about our love for bow hunting, sports, our jobs, and the corona virus that was spreading through the nation and world.
The last thing I expected was to hear him say he had ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. I knew nothing about it other than the stories of Lou Gehrig and Steven Hawking.
I’ve learned a lot since then. ALS is fatal. Half the patients survive less than three years. People with ALS lose strength and the ability to walk. They develop respiratory problems. They can’t breathe.
My father was a star athlete in high school and college. He was the heavyweight wrestler for Purdue University.
He was the strongest man I have ever known, able to carry tremendous weights. He carried the needs of our family, too. He is still the strongest man I have ever known. But in a different way.
And now it’s time for us to carry him.
Today he is in a wheelchair, needs help getting in and out of bed, and dealing with the necessities of life.
It’s going to get worse. And it’s going to be expensive. ALS not only attacks your body. It decimates your finances. It can cost up to $200,000 a year in advanced stages. Private insurance does not cover this and government programs offer very little help for middle income families.
My dad and step-mother have already purchased an expensive electric wheelchair, an accessible van, a special bed and much more. They had to sell their home and buy one that is wheelchair accessible. Family members have helped.
My step-mother lost her job during the pandemic and is just now starting a new position. She is my dad’s primary caregiver.
My dad needs someone to help him while my step-mother works. We are raising $10,000 for that caregiver along with some equipment he needs. And that will just be the start of it.
My dad never thought he’d be in this situation. I never thought I’d be making this request.
But he needs your help.
Together we can do this.
My 55-year-old father Ken Compton is one of them.
He does not complain. I’ve never heard him ask, “why me?” My dad is a giver. He has never asked for help from anyone.
Until now.
I live and work in California. Last March when I got a phone call from my dad in Indiana I thought we would talk about our love for bow hunting, sports, our jobs, and the corona virus that was spreading through the nation and world.
The last thing I expected was to hear him say he had ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. I knew nothing about it other than the stories of Lou Gehrig and Steven Hawking.
I’ve learned a lot since then. ALS is fatal. Half the patients survive less than three years. People with ALS lose strength and the ability to walk. They develop respiratory problems. They can’t breathe.
My father was a star athlete in high school and college. He was the heavyweight wrestler for Purdue University.
He was the strongest man I have ever known, able to carry tremendous weights. He carried the needs of our family, too. He is still the strongest man I have ever known. But in a different way.
And now it’s time for us to carry him.
Today he is in a wheelchair, needs help getting in and out of bed, and dealing with the necessities of life.
It’s going to get worse. And it’s going to be expensive. ALS not only attacks your body. It decimates your finances. It can cost up to $200,000 a year in advanced stages. Private insurance does not cover this and government programs offer very little help for middle income families.
My dad and step-mother have already purchased an expensive electric wheelchair, an accessible van, a special bed and much more. They had to sell their home and buy one that is wheelchair accessible. Family members have helped.
My step-mother lost her job during the pandemic and is just now starting a new position. She is my dad’s primary caregiver.
My dad needs someone to help him while my step-mother works. We are raising $10,000 for that caregiver along with some equipment he needs. And that will just be the start of it.
My dad never thought he’d be in this situation. I never thought I’d be making this request.
But he needs your help.
Together we can do this.
Organizer and beneficiary
Chad Compton
Organizer
Lafayette, IN
Ken Compton
Beneficiary