Mike Magee ALS Family Fundraiser

First off, THANK YOU! all in advance for taking the time out of your busy life to read through this. One thing we as a family are starting to learn and embrace in our situation, is that time is the most valuable thing we all have, so we truly appreciate every one of you for donating that already.

On October 12th 2022 my father Michael Magee was diagnosed with ALS at just 62 years of age and in what i always thought was invincible type health for an older guy. Out of nowhere my dad started to experience extreme fatigue from light duty movement, mixed with the inability to properly speak/swallow. Doctors later determined (pre diagnosed) he had lost approximately 50% of muscle weight on his entire right side. (His exhaustion coming home each day after delivering countless parcels for Purolator made total sense now, he was literally dragging the right side of his body around and keeping up with his deliveries as needed, classic Mike determination for those who know him)

Once we got that news from a local specialist he was given a note to stop working indefinitely and appointments were made to see neurological specialists. Appointments took for what felt like ever, too much time to think about things it could be besides ALS...maybe he just had a pinched nerve or something i kept hoping. About a month after his specialist appointment we finally got in to see Neurological Specialist Andrew Dyck out of Winnipeg.

After a thorough examination on October 12th, he officially confirmed our worst...but expected fears that my father has ALS, that there is no cure and it is eventually fatal. We were given a rough time frame but its so vague we try not to even think about it and just appreciate every day we have together going forward.

As i write this on November 13th my dads current status is as follows;

- Hard time using entire right side of body

- Speak issues (Slurred Speach)

- Difficulty swallowing

- Constant feeling of a frog in his throat

- Full body uncontrollable tremors that intensify at night

- Rapid weight loss

- Rapid exhaustion from simple movements

- Mentally drained

I have started this GoFundMe to help in some very specific areas that i will not be able to financially afford alone. This list will be forever changing as my father progresses into this nasty disease, but these are the things we are thinking about now to be prepared and try to stay ahead.

- Wheelchair

- Powered Wheelchair/Scooter

- Renovations to House to provide access for wheelchair (Entry ramps, bathroom, Doors and Doorways)

- Vehicle customization for wheelchair access

- Financial support for my Mother as she continues to work full time until becoming his caregiver.

- Travel expenses for care visits

- Adjustable hospital bed with rails

- Stair lift (2 storey home)

- Dad "things" - My dad worked his entire life to provide for us all and always looked out for everyone he had dealings with. He never got to retire or enjoy things the way he should have, just worked forever then forced off work. I don't know what he could or would want but i want him to experience stuff and have fun. I know he loves so many different things but getting him to voice those things are hard. I'd be open to ideas anyone has as well if you know my dad. My head goes to things like sport events, poker, travelling, AC/DC concert and such

- Funeral arrangements

I should also mention that through the support of the ALS Society of Manitoba there are SO MANY things we no longer need assistance with, thanks to the generosity of people just like yourself that have donated their time, finances or belongings. The society really makes you feel part of the family on just the first meeting.

From the Family

We cannot thank you enough for any support given whether you share this fundraiser for others to see, dontate yourself, or simply give my dad a call or drop him a message to say hello. I know he would love to hear from people, he's just unsure how to go about telling the world.

This fundraiser has been approved in advance by my father.