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Newsroom MDRT Foundation Grant Breaks The Silence for ALS Patients
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that often leads to paralysis and ultimately death. May is ALS Awareness Month, and ALS – Greater Los Angeles Chapter is an organization committed to promoting awareness of this dehabilitating disease.
The MDRT Foundation awarded a $2,500 grant to ALS – Greater Los Angeles Chapter to help fund the Augmentative/Alternative Communication program. This Quality of Life grant was awarded in honor of the volunteerism of David R. Davis, CLU, ChFC, a 32-year MDRT member from Los Angeles, California. Davis currently serves on the ALS – Greater Los Angeles Chapter’s board of trustees, and is responsible for setting policy and fund-raising efforts.
“[Davis] is fearless in reaching out to individuals and corporations to raise awareness of ALS,” wrote Fred B. Fisher, executive director of ALS – Greater Los Angeles Chapter. “[He] is a deeply cherished asset whose energy and commitment to supporting this organization is phenomenal.”
The progressive degeneration of ALS affects people between the ages of 40 and 60, and attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control movements such as walking, speaking, swallowing and breathing. Due to the weakening of mouth and throat muscles, patients are often forced into a world of silence even through they have full mental capacity to communicate.
The Augmentative/Alternative Communication program provides ALS patients with alternative communication equipment, speech-enhancing devices, equipment training and speech evaluations regardless of their ability to pay. This program incorporates the use of sign language, picture letter boards, voice output systems and computer software to foster effective communication.
Despite strides in ALS medical research and treatment, there is no cure for ALS and the average life expectancy from the time of diagnosis is between two to five years, although some people do enjoy a fulfilling life of 10 years or more. For the last 18-years, the ALS– Greater Los Angeles Chapter has provided support and ALS advocacy for patients, their families and caregivers throughout the Los Angeles area.
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