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  • Understanding ALS
    • ALS Symptoms
    • Stages of ALS
    • What Causes ALS?
    • Lou Gehrig and the History of ALS
    • ALS Glossary
  • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Our Leadership
    • Financial Information
    • Our Partners
    • Careers
  • Research
    • How ALS Patients Can Help
    • Research Resources
    • Research News
    • ALS Association Research
  • Navigating ALS
    • Newly Diagnosed
      • What Do I Do Now?
      • How to Share Your Diagnosis
      • Second Opinions
      • Resources
      • Clinics and Centers
    • Living with ALS
      • For Patients
      • Therapies & Care
        • Nutrition & Feeding Tubes
        • How to Improve Mobility
        • Dealing with Breathing Issues
        • Dealing with Speech & Swallowing Issues
        • Types of Assistive Equipment & Technology
        • Clinics and Centers
      • Living Setting
      • Daily Living Activities
      • Leisure Activities
      • Accessible Vehicles
      • More in Depth Resources/Manuals
    • Coping with ALS
      • Dealing with Anxiety/Depression
      • Changes in Thinking & Emotional Lability
      • Support Groups
      • Resources
    • For Caregivers
      • Caregiver Program
      • Caregiver Resources
      • Practicing Self Care
      • From One Caregiver To Another
    • For Youth & Children
    • Virtual Support Groups & Workshops
      • Past Virtual Event Recordings
    • Resources
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      • Advance Directives
      • More in Depth Resources/Manuals
      • Register with ALS Texas
  • Get Involved
    • Walk to Defeat ALS®
      • Register for a Walk
    • Texas Chapter Events
      • Houston Marathon and Half Marathon
      • All In For ALS Poker Tournament
      • Sporting Clay Shoot
      • Under Ballou Skies Golf Classic and Party
      • ALS Fishing Classic
      • The Cowtown Affair
    • Calendar of Events
    • Fundraising Opportunities
    • Ways to Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Workplace Giving
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Baseball: Not Just a Game, But a Lifetime Passion

October 25, 2019 by Catherine Nodurft Leave a Comment

Submitted by Darin Severson, Regional Operations Manager – South Texas, at Capital Senior Living

During a recent visit to Heritage Oaks, I was asked to meet with a resident who had a complaint and wanted to speak to someone in charge. I was introduced to the resident, Richard. Richard invited me in to his home, and asked me to sit down for a few minutes to talk. I quickly realized that Richard did not have a complaint, but a request. As I sat and listened to Richard, I understood that his request was a heartfelt request to enjoy his lifetime passion, one last time in-person.

It turns out that Richard has ALS and spends most of his days in his room, in his power wheelchair, listening to baseball games on the radio or watching the games on TV. His passion is the Houston Astros, and his request was very simple, yet powerful. He wanted to see his beloved Astros play one last time, in person, while he still had sufficient command of his body, and was able to enjoy the experience. His only issue was that no one in his family had a vehicle that would get him to and from the game, as he has a power wheelchair. A plan was developed, and with the help of the ALS Association of Texas, Richard would get his wish.

Two weeks after my meeting with Richard, he was surprised by his son and grandchildren with the news of his pending trip to the ball game. Richard broke down in tears when he heard the news. The day of the game finally arrived, the look on Richard’s face was like a child on Christmas morning. His son and grandchildren arrived at the community, and he was off on his trip to the Astros and Minute Maid Park.
While sitting at the game with Richard and talking with him, I learned that he was not just an Astro’s fan, but a historian of all things baseball, and all things Astros. I learned that the Houston Astros were originally the Colt 45’s, but, had to change their name because of a lawsuit. I also learned that Richard was an avid baseball player in his younger days and had always dreamed of making the “show”. In a rare moment of weakness from this man, he said, ”I had always dreamed of being in the majors, I just never thought that I would get a Major League Disease instead.” ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Lou Gehrig was a baseball player for the New York Yankee’s for 17 years in the 1920’s and 30’s. ALS is a disease that impacts the neurons controlling voluntary muscles in the body. Richard later in the evening stated that he hopes that someday they will find a cure for this disease.

Richard at the Houston Astros Game

Richard continued his history lesson on the Houston Astros. He was at the first game in the Astrodome in the mid 1960’s, he remembers the events of the day well, and was able to recall the score. (I looked it up later.) He was spot on. The Astro’s defeated the New York Yankee’s 2-1.

The game was Thursday night, September 5th, the Astros found themselves down 7-1 after the second inning to the Seattle Mariners. Richard concentrated on the game, taking in the sights, enjoying his hot dog. Talking with his son and grandchildren and soaking up the experience. The Astro’s ended up winning the game in extra innings 11-9. Richard summed up the night with one word, “Amazing.” As Richard returned home, and was getting off the bus, he was beaming with happiness, and a grin that went from ear to ear. It was an honor to enjoy this experience with Richard and his family an evening I will always remember and be grateful for.

Filed Under: ALS Hero, Stories Tagged With: als, ALS Hero, Astros, Baseball, Go Astros, houston

ALS Can Never Steal the Joys of Motherhood

June 10, 2018 by Elise Bernard Leave a Comment

In 2001, Patricia and Oran Hamilton welcomed their son Patrick into the world. As Patricia started this new chapter in her life, she knew that she wanted to cherish every moment of motherhood. Over the years, she watched as her son grew, encouraging his love of learning.

When Patrick was 11, Patricia started experiencing weakness in her hand, and went to a neurologist who gave her three different diagnoses. In March 2014, she was finally diagnosed with ALS.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Inspiring PALS, Stories Tagged With: advocacy, als, ALS awareness, als stories, ALS Texas, houston, Lou Gehrig's Disease, walk to defeat als

3rd Annual Shoot Out ALS Tournament Explodes with Success

April 3, 2018 by Elise Bernard Leave a Comment

harvey-builders-first-place
Harvey Builders win first place in the 2018 Shoot Out ALS tournament.

On Monday, March 26, more than 150 shooters gathered for the 3rd Annual Shoot Out ALS tournament at the Greater Houston Gun Club, raising $127,000 for the fight against ALS. Shooting enthusiasts participated in an afternoon shoot followed by cocktails and dinner, a live auction, and an awards reception.

At the tournament, we recognized ALS Hero JC Creath. Before ALS, JC and his wife Andrea were photographers, always on the go. While busy photographing weddings, families, pets, and babies, the symptoms of ALS began. JC began tripping and falling, and he struggled to catch his breath at times.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Sporting Clay Shoot Tagged With: als, ALS awareness, clay shoot, contest, fundraising, Greater Houston Gun Club, houston, Lou Gehrig's Disease, pals, shooting, skeet shoot, tournament

Another Winning Hand in the Fight Against ALS

February 27, 2018 by Elise Bernard Leave a Comment

On Saturday, January 20, more than 250 people attended the 14th Annual All in for ALS Poker Tournament. The event raised over $185,000 for the fight against ALS and to help fulfill our mission of finding treatments and a cure while serving, advocating for, and empowering people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.

All in for ALS began in 2004 in honor of Stu Nichols. Stu and his son Andrew had a mission to visit every ballpark in the U.S. throughout Andrew’s childhood. Amidst their journey, Stu was diagnosed with ALS. After his diagnosis, he was still committed to visiting the remaining ballparks, but he also wanted to find a way to fund research for a cure for ALS. Andrew had been playing online poker at the time and was interested in playing in the World Series of Poker tournament. They decided to start a poker event that would benefit people living with ALS.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Fundraising Tagged With: als, ALS awareness, ALS Texas, houston, Lou Gehrig's Disease, pals, poker

Houston Marathon Participants Run for a Reason: To Fight ALS

January 16, 2018 by Elise Bernard 4 Comments

On Sunday, January 14, 35 runners participated in the Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason Program in support of the ALS Association of Texas. The Run for a Reason program “connects the philanthropic community to passionate race participants willing to fundraise and raise awareness for meaningful causes,” according to the Marathon website. This is the eighth year that the ALS Association of Texas has been chosen as an official Charity of Choice.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Houston Marathon Tagged With: als, ALS awareness, als stories, ALS Texas, chevron marathon, fundraising, houston, houston marathon, Lou Gehrig's Disease, marathon

Vote for ALS Texas to Win $25,000 from the Chevron Houston Marathon!

December 20, 2017 by Tanner Hockensmith Leave a Comment

Here’s a quick and easy way you can make a big difference and help ALS patients throughout the state of Texas!

Join the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason Charity Challenge! From Dec. 20 – 31, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. CT, you can vote for the ALS Association of Texas or make a donation. Three prizes will be awarded in the amount of $25,000 each in the following categories:

  • Charity Organization Who Receives the Greatest Number of Contest Votes During the Voting Period. Click here to vote now.
  • Most Money Raised by a Single Charity Organization During the Voting Period. Click here to donate.
  • Highest Number of Donations Made by Individual Donors During the Voting Period. Click here to donate.

Vote Now

Donate Now

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Houston Marathon Tagged With: als, ALS awareness, chevron marathon, houston, houston marathon, marathon

Offering Help, Hope, and a Voice to those Living with ALS

December 6, 2017 by wpengine 3 Comments

By John Quinn

John and his family

Like many people with ALS, I first noticed symptoms several months before I was diagnosed. In December 2015, I was dropping my right foot when I walked and began fatiguing more easily than normal.

I went to multiple doctors and finally saw a neurologist who suspected I had ALS, and he recommended I go to Houston Methodist hospital. In May 2016, I went through a series of tests for two days at Houston Methodist hospital and was given an ALS diagnosis.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With: advocacy, advocate, als, ALS Advocacy, als clinics, ALS drug, ALS Research, als stories, ALS Texas, ALS treatment, clinical trial, clinics, diagnosis, disaster relief, Donate, houston, hurricane, Lou Gehrig's Disease, national als advocacy day, pals, patient services, Public Policy, support groups

Harvey Intensifies Daily Challenges for Those Living with ALS

September 7, 2017 by Tanner Hockensmith 2 Comments

ALS Texas commits to helping patients through recovery process

I’ve driven down I-45 toward Houston countless times, but this time was different.

Instead of normal business traffic, I was surrounded by trucks filled with bottled water, construction material, and other basic necessities. Pulling a load of supplies and medical equipment behind me too, I felt uneasy about what I would face when I crossed into Houston.

When I finally did so, one of the first things I noticed was that the devastation was different from block to block. We crossed one debris-lined street only to come upon another that displayed life as normal – houses untouched by the storm and people eating on patios outside of restaurants.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: News, Stories Tagged With: als, ALS awareness, als stories, ALS Texas, disaster relief, Donate, harvey, houston, hurricane, Lou Gehrig's Disease, pals, patient services

ALS Texas Disaster Response Plan

August 29, 2017 by Tanner Hockensmith 4 Comments

As Hurricane Harvey continues to affect people with ALS, their families, our staff, and our board members in Houston and the surrounding areas, we want to keep you informed of our efforts to serve them in this critical time. This disaster is likely to have a prolonged impact on the area, so we will continue to assess the unique needs and address them accordingly.

At this time, we are providing emergency financial assistance to people with ALS who are forced to evacuate their homes for safer accommodations. We strongly recommend that people with ALS do not flee to shelters, as health risks are heightened significantly in that setting. We are prepared to provide financial assistance for hotel accommodations and other safer settings. We are also in contact with FEMA and the American Red Cross to ensure that people with ALS are adequately cared for according to their unique needs.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: als, ALS Texas, disaster relief, Donate, houston, hurricane, Hurricane Harvey, pals, patient services

Shooting Enthusiasts Take Aim Against ALS

April 12, 2017 by Elise Bernard 1 Comment

On Monday, March 27, shooting enthusiasts gathered for an afternoon clay shoot in support of the fight against ALS. More than 100 shooters participated in the 2nd Annual Sporting Clay Shoot, followed by cocktails, dinner, and awards at the Greater Houston Gun Club.

The first Sporting Clay Shoot was held in 2016. ALS Texas board member and Phi Delta Theta alumnus WL Gray recommended a clay shoot when the Texas Chapter was looking to create a new fundraising event. WL has been a member of the Greater Houston Gun Club since 2005, and having shot in a number of charity events before, he began considering a clay shoot event for ALS.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Fundraising, Sporting Clay Shoot Tagged With: als, ALS awareness, clay shoot, contest, fundraising, Greater Houston Gun Club, houston, Lou Gehrig's Disease, pals, Phi Delta Theta, shooting, skeet shoot, tournament

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