My name is Della
In the summer of 2022, I noticed my flip-flop was dragging. In April 2023 I was diagnosed with ALS. This is my story.
Della's ALS Journey
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What is ALS?
Support our Mission
Support our Mission
ALS affects the control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe. There is no cure for this fatal disease. The mean survival time with ALS is two to five years.
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Support our Mission
Support our Mission
Support our Mission
Become an ALS Advocate. ALS is not uncurable, it's underfunded.
Government Advocacy
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Government Advocacy
Download my roadmap to contacting your lawmakers and ask for change.
The road to my diagnosis
Summer of 2022
While walking her dog, Della noticed her left flip-flop was dragging. That changed into a limp tha became worse over time.
Winter of 2023
Della's limp got worse and she found her leg had spasms and cramping.
First Dr appt January 6, 2023
Della's doctor asked Deella to walk on her heal, she was unable. She also asked Della to hop on her left foot, but again she was unable. She was referred to a nuerologist.
Meeting my nuerologist
At her first meeting with the neurologist he did an extensive exame. He noticed Della had a positve Babinski reflex - a sign on ALS. She was referred for a MRI and an EMG
Going to the hospital
Securing an appoinment for an ENMG was difficult. Della would have wait until May to receive the test.
Getting the Diagnosis April 20, 2023
As Della waited for her appointments her limp was getting worse. Her doctor suggested she be admitted to the hospital to expedite testing. After 2 days, Della was diagnosed with ALS. Everything changed
Grandma's Bookshelf
How it works
One of the most painful aspects of ALS is losing your future. I always dreamed of having 10, yes 10, redhead grandchildren. Knowing I will never meet them has been painful. So I decided to video myself reading them books. I want them to know I loved them even before they were born. I saved the videos on a private YouTube channel and created a QR code linking each video. I pasted the QR code on this template and put it on the book's inside cover. Now, my grandchildren can scan the code and see and hear me reading to them.
You can create your own bookshelf. Download my template and make a keepsake for your family.
How you can help
The Falmouth Road Race ALS One
The Falmouth Road Race ALS One
The Falmouth Road Race ALS One
One of the amazing people who works for CCALS is Jim. Every year, Jim runs the Falmouth Road race and pushes someone with ALS. This year, he is going to push me!
I can not tell you how honored I am to “run” Falmouth with Jim. I am raising funds for CCALS to try to give back a small amount of what I have received.
ALS TDI Walk for Research
The Falmouth Road Race ALS One
The Falmouth Road Race ALS One
Come join me on Sunday, September 8, 2024 • 10:00 AM
Zervas Elementary School
30 Beethoven Ave, Newton MA
Enjoy a leisurely walk under the shade of the trees on a beautiful day while raising money to end ALS at the ALS Walk for Research! I'll be easy to find, the redhead in a wheelchair!