Supporting Ady, Rachael & Carl

In 2016, four months after his wife Rachael gave birth to their beautiful son Carl, our classmate and friend Ady Barkan was diagnosed with ALS. It’s a deadly brain disease with no cure and no good treatment.

In spite of the disease — and in fact more fiercely because of it — Ady has continued fighting for social justice even as his muscles rapidly atrophy.

You can watch a powerful 4 minute video about Ady & Rachael’s struggle and how they are trying to use their story to help catalyze a rejuvenation of America’s democracy.

https://www.facebook.com/NowThisPolitics/videos/2014275571937256

And if you want to know more about the work Ady has done since graduating, you can read this profile of him:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ady-barkan-progressive-activist-fed-up-gop-tax-bill_us_5a42a7dde4b025f99e187b5b

Ady and Rachael obviously have many significant new financial burdens as a result of the disease. One major expense, which is not covered by private or public health insurance, is the cost of the home health aides who help Ady with basic daily activities like showering and getting dressed.

This care will cost around $20,000 this year. (Obviously Ady is paying his aides a living wage of $20+ per hour). We think this would be a good expense for the YLS community to take off of Ady & Rachael's shoulders this year.

If you would like to support Rachael and Ady, please donate here, and invite others to do the same.