Mom with ALS with no income & no nursing care

This past May, a young 38 year old mom, Meghan Rizzo was diagnosed with ALS, (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Meghan has two small children at home, a little girl 4 and a boy 10 and3 older children.  Life as they knew it has come to a halt.  Meghan's ALS has progressed very quickly since being diagnosed in May of 2018. She is under the care of an ALS Specialist in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Meghan cannot walk or talk and is 100% paralysed at the young age of 39.

In the last 3 weeks, Meghan's ALS has progressed quite rapidly. She had no choice but to get a feeding tube placed in her abdomen 3 weeks ago as she was not able to eat without choking.  Last week, she stopped breathing and had to get an emergency tracheostomy so she could continue to breathe.  Meghan now requires 24/7 skilled nursing care around the clock due to the risk of choking with a tracheostomy.  Meghan is unable to leave her home except when the handicapped van comes to pick her up for her medical appointments and a skilled, trained nurse has to travel with her.   She is able to be placed in her wheelchair with the help of several caregivers and a Hoyer Lift.

Meghan's husband Chris, is very loving, gentle and patient and is her care giver.  He works daily as a power window washer, then comes home and cares for ALL of Meghan's needs, which are many.  Chris also feeds and takes care of the children.  It is amazing what Chris is able to accomplish but he becomes more overwhelmed with each passing day.  

Our goal is to create a better life for Meghan, her children and her husband and caregiver Chris.  We are trying everything we know to help her and the family in this extremely difficult time and we invite you to join us. Donations are being requested to help Meghan with the expenses related to ALS.  Specifically, trained and skilled caregivers, medical needs, equipment rentals and purchases, and wheelchair transportation as needed.  They do not own a handicapped van.  All donations will be housed at SunTrust in Concord and used to pay for caregiving and daily living expenses on her behalf.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 to help fund Meghan's needs as an ALS patient which are many and include: a daily caregiver in the home to care for Meghan (24 hours a day) Monday-Sunday, handicapped van rentals, daily living expenses, non covered medical expenses, electric bills so her ventilator and trach will continue to work, etc. 

Meghan truly needs round the clock care and this fundraiser will help her where she needs it most as she is in desperate need of daily tracheostomy trained caregivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week who can care for her medical needs, which is far beyond their financial needs to provide. 

The children are suffering as well.  The only interaction Meghan is able to have with them is through her Eye Gaze tablet she uses with her eye movement to type messages and communicate with them.  

PLEASE PLEASE find it in your heart to donate to this urgent, desperate situation.  The need is extremely great and ALS is a wicked, progressive disease.  It is our hope that you will hear the call just like we did and pitch in to help Meghan and her family.  

Thank you for your consideration and support!! NO amount is too small!


*note- Meghan's husband Chris is the beneficiary noted in this GoFundMe as Meghan is 100% paralysed and is not able to withdraw the funds to use for her care.