My name is John Mankowski and I have ALS. I am sharing my story to tell you why I Walk to Defeat ALS, and the direct impact you have when you walk too.
An avid skier, cyclist, and hiker, Father Jim has been a pastor at St. Michael’s Parish in Olympia, Washington for over twenty years. With members of the church community, he has traveled to numerous countries for both missionary work and recreational trips. A few years ago, he began having difficulties with muscle twitches, upper body weakness, and leg cramps. Before long he was diagnosed with ALS.
Pat was a former solutions team lead at Esri, a geographic information system (GIS) company, and spent his 25-year career in GIS creatively using mapping technology to solve real-world problems in the utility industry. Forced to retire in 2018 due to the progression of his disease, he had no idea where his passion for mapping and data would take him. “After my diagnosis, I wanted to bring GIS to the ALS battle, but wasn’t sure where to start,” says Pat.
Jack Finlay was just 22 years old when he was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. Working toward his degree at the University of Montana, he vowed to not let the disease get in the way of achieving his dreams and living his best life.
Since Mark’s diagnosis in 2000, he has been committed to the fight against ALS on many levels. Over the past 21 years, he has advocated locally at the state level and nationally on Capitol Hill. He’s volunteered at innumerous events with The ALS Association Mid-America Chapter and served on the Chapter’s board and Services Committee. All who know him say his ALS diagnosis does not define him, instead it motivates him to do more and to give hope to others.
I’m hopeful because when my father left us, he left a piece of himself with me, and I’ll do everything I can to raise as much money and awareness as possible so that those three letters - A L S - are no longer considered a death sentence.
Just in time for Walk season Skippy's Team is the stuff of legend at the Milwaukee Walk to D'Feet ALS.
Over 100 team members strong, Robyn and the crew just don't quit. Year after year they gather, now going on 7 years since Kip's passing, and set records for raising hope and funds.
Diagnosed with ALS last spring, Heidi Tarr Henson, Ed.D., shares thoughts about her personal journey living with the disease and what real awareness of ALS means to her.
I have been very fortunate and extremely unlucky in my life. I have bulbar-onset ALS. Of course, living with this “new normal” is challenging. But my previous experience with grief has informed my attitude now as well, and I try to live each day as best I can, in the most positive way possible.
Heidi Tarr Henson, diagnosed with ALS last spring, shares thoughts about her personal journey living with the disease, how she’s managing her personal changes in mobility and how she strives to just live in the moment.