Help James Fleming Live with ALS

My brother-in-law, James Fleming, is one of my favorite people in the whole world. He is kind, compassionate, smart, loyal, curious, humble and hard-working. Nothing is more important to James than his family and friends. James never misses an opportunity to check in with his many nieces and nephews with a quick text or call, always eager to stay abreast of what they are up to.

A couple of years ago, James began experiencing various symptoms in his legs, causing him to stumble, trip or fall more and more frequently. As the symptoms worsened, James knew something was very wrong. After meeting with several doctors and undergoing a barrage of tests over many months, James received an unimaginable and life changing diagnosis in December 2020.

The doctors informed James that he was suffering from ALS.

ALS, more commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This results in the wasting away of muscle, loss of movement, and eventual paralysis. The senses (hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste) are not affected, and there is no cognitive impairment. As of now, there is no cure for ALS and no “normal“ rate of progression.

Over the last year, James has gone from walking with a limp, to walking with a cane, to using a walker, and, now, to relying on a wheelchair. (Despite the disease’s impact on his speech, James can still make you laugh, and end a conversation with his signature phrase "no doubt!") And because of ALS, James is no longer at the helm of his refinishing business, Master Refinishers, that he has operated for decades.

James is a proud man, a humble provider and a man with the highest level of integrity. If you know him well, you will understand that throughout this journey he has expressed his continued concern for those around him, especially his wife Erin and his daughters Charlotte and Gabby.

James is acutely aware of the physical and financial challenges he is now facing. And so, with reluctance and incredible gratitude, he agreed to allow us to launch this Go Fund Me Campaign.

Our goal is to raise $80,000 to help James cover basic needs, including medical expenses not covered by Medicare, in-home care, transportation, specialized equipment and other needs to support James' new reality.

This is our chance to give back and help a man who has always helped others. Every donation, large or small, will be so appreciated by James and all of us.

Please click on the “Donate Now” button to make a gift. There’s also a place that you can post a message to James.

Please also click on the “Share” button to share this Go Fund Me Campaign and James' story with others who might appreciate the opportunity to help. You can share this information by email, text or posting on social media.

Thank you so very much for caring.

Team James