The ALS journey is difficult, so whether it is family, or friends or community volunteers, finding people who are willing to help, and accepting the help they are able to give, can make all the difference. We had the privilege of sitting down with the Woody family’s “village,” to talk about ALS, how it impacts their everyday life, and their incredible devotion to be a part of the family’s ALS journey. Here’s what they had to say.
Natalie Woody was only four and a half years old when her father Lamar was diagnosed with ALS in 2018. Full of personality and spirit, Natalie’s parents agree that she’s no different than any other child her age, she just happens to have a dad who has ALS.
Lamar and Kristina Woody are a lot like any other busy, hard-working couple. They’re juggling careers, education and the day-to-day activities of their sassy and smart nine-year-old daughter, Natalie. Married for over twelve years, they love laughter, music and spending time with family and friends, living their life focused on love, friendship and positivity. They are also living with ALS.
Most songwriters will tell you, the key to a really good song is the lyrics, a story being told with unique chords and melodies, evoking a specific emotion and compelling listeners to connect and share. No one knows this better than the Swope family, sharing their beautiful memories and storytelling through music, rhythm and song.
We recently talked with Veronica Darland, one of the 2022 Jane Calmes ALS Scholarship recipients, to learn more about her connection to ALS, what receiving the scholarship means to her, and her future plans in journalism.
Jackie could have been the The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter's volunteer of the month years before her mother's ALS diagnosis. Ironically, in 2013, her dedication to the ALS mission took on an entirely new meaning for her.
After my dad was diagnosed, there was no hesitation that our family was going to fight alongside him. So that meant it was time to volunteer with The ALS Association. We all knew right then and there that our volunteer work wasn’t going to save our father, but it was going to help others not feel the devastation we were feeling at the time of his diagnosis.
Stomp Out ALS is a third-party fundraiser hosted by Brandi Hyatt in memory of her father Jack who passed away in 2017. The event is centered around the Kentucky Derby - getting dressed up, wearing big hats, eating delicious Southern-themed food and baked goods, picking horses and other Derby-related activities.
Jackie Heltz is a producer, filmmaker, and writer with a passion for issue-driven documentaries. She is also a dedicated volunteer in the fight against ALS.
In celebration of mothers everywhere today, we are honored to share the story of celebrity hairdresser and beauty expert, Ken Paves, and his amazing story about life, love and caring for his beautiful mother, Helen, who recently lost her battle with ALS.