Support Christopher Reed in his fight against ALS!
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Christopher Reed, a bartender at Bar Goto in New York City, was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, in May 2018. Chris has reached a point where his heath is worsening rapidly, and he needs our help. As personal bills and medical costs continue to take a toll and he is no longer able to work as he used to, Chris’s burden will only increase. Please donate to help Chris as he continues his fight with ALS!
Kenta and the Bar Goto Team
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Warm support from our media friends:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/bar-goto-bartender-christopher-reeds-fight-against-als-for-his-life
https://daily.sevenfifty.com/a-bartenders-battle-with-als/
https://www.facebook.com/NowThisDaily/videos/842434226106946/
http://www.grubstreet.com/2019/03/bar-goto-gofundme-christopher-reed.html
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Some words from Chris:
My name is Christopher Reed and I'm a chatterbox by nature, so let me make this as short and sweet as possible. I'm lucky, blessed and proud to be a bartender at Bar Goto in New York City.
In the beginning of May 2018, I was diagnosed with a motor neuron condition called ALS. I walk and talk like I'm drunk (but I'm not unfortunately), I wear leg braces and I walk with a cane. My doctors told me that I'll likely be in a wheelchair by May 2019 and that my overall life expectancy is estimated at three years. Along with my wheelchair, I have a feeding tube and ventilator to help me eat and breathe to look forward to, and then game over.
OK. Not great, but you have to play the hand dealt to you. I'm a fighter and I'm going down swinging, but swinging costs a lot of money and that's where I need your help.
As it turns out, western medicine unfortunately has had very little to offer me. I've had very bad reactions to the two drugs that my doctors and I decided to try; they made me feel much worse, which was both terrifying and heartbreaking. If I wait for western medicine to find a "REAL" treatment, let alone a cure, I'm a dead man.
What does works for me are things like B-12 shots twice a week and a variety of supplements that help my cells generate energy. I found these things partly through my doctors and partly through researching what other people living with ALS have done to live 7-8-9-10-12 years. What's funny/tragic is that the "out of the box" things that make me feel solid aren't covered by insurance. So, I'm taking a serious financial pounding. Additionally, while I am still functional, I do need to work less, and I can't afford to do it without you. I will also unfortunately reach a point, and there’s no predicting how soon, at which I will no longer be able to work at all.
The saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," is for normal people. "When life gives you a turd sandwich, make THAT into lemonade!" is for people living with ALS. I believe in staying positive and truly "laughter IS the best medicine".
So, this is my plan: I'm going to continue slinging cocktails at Bar Goto with Kenta and the gang for as long as I am able to. I'm going to enjoy my time with my wife, our 4 cats (yes, 4, stop judging), family and friends. I don't plan on dying, I plan on turning this sandwich into delicious lemonade and maybe helping find a cure along the way.
I need your help and support. To everyone who reads this and to everyone who donates, thank you from the bottom of my heart, you cannot know how much it means to me. It means literally, another day lived better.
Your friend,
Christopher Reed
Kenta and the Bar Goto Team
********************
Warm support from our media friends:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/bar-goto-bartender-christopher-reeds-fight-against-als-for-his-life
https://daily.sevenfifty.com/a-bartenders-battle-with-als/
https://www.facebook.com/NowThisDaily/videos/842434226106946/
http://www.grubstreet.com/2019/03/bar-goto-gofundme-christopher-reed.html
********************
Some words from Chris:
My name is Christopher Reed and I'm a chatterbox by nature, so let me make this as short and sweet as possible. I'm lucky, blessed and proud to be a bartender at Bar Goto in New York City.
In the beginning of May 2018, I was diagnosed with a motor neuron condition called ALS. I walk and talk like I'm drunk (but I'm not unfortunately), I wear leg braces and I walk with a cane. My doctors told me that I'll likely be in a wheelchair by May 2019 and that my overall life expectancy is estimated at three years. Along with my wheelchair, I have a feeding tube and ventilator to help me eat and breathe to look forward to, and then game over.
OK. Not great, but you have to play the hand dealt to you. I'm a fighter and I'm going down swinging, but swinging costs a lot of money and that's where I need your help.
As it turns out, western medicine unfortunately has had very little to offer me. I've had very bad reactions to the two drugs that my doctors and I decided to try; they made me feel much worse, which was both terrifying and heartbreaking. If I wait for western medicine to find a "REAL" treatment, let alone a cure, I'm a dead man.
What does works for me are things like B-12 shots twice a week and a variety of supplements that help my cells generate energy. I found these things partly through my doctors and partly through researching what other people living with ALS have done to live 7-8-9-10-12 years. What's funny/tragic is that the "out of the box" things that make me feel solid aren't covered by insurance. So, I'm taking a serious financial pounding. Additionally, while I am still functional, I do need to work less, and I can't afford to do it without you. I will also unfortunately reach a point, and there’s no predicting how soon, at which I will no longer be able to work at all.
The saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," is for normal people. "When life gives you a turd sandwich, make THAT into lemonade!" is for people living with ALS. I believe in staying positive and truly "laughter IS the best medicine".
So, this is my plan: I'm going to continue slinging cocktails at Bar Goto with Kenta and the gang for as long as I am able to. I'm going to enjoy my time with my wife, our 4 cats (yes, 4, stop judging), family and friends. I don't plan on dying, I plan on turning this sandwich into delicious lemonade and maybe helping find a cure along the way.
I need your help and support. To everyone who reads this and to everyone who donates, thank you from the bottom of my heart, you cannot know how much it means to me. It means literally, another day lived better.
Your friend,
Christopher Reed
Organizer
Bar Goto Employee Fund
Organizer
New York, NY