By John Quinn
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.
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.
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.
As the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey continue to unfold, the ALS Association of Texas is working diligently to assess the well-being and needs of ALS patients and their families in the affected areas. This is our first priority – to ensure that our patients are safe and secure and that they can continue to focus on their health with as little disruption as possible.
This unprecedented disaster is likely to have a prolonged impact on those living with ALS and their families. And while the full impact can’t be known just yet, we are providing emergency financial assistance to those forced to evacuate their homes for safer accommodations. And we’ll continue to address these unique needs as they arise. If you or your family are in need of financial assistance, please contact us at info@alstexas.org.
Below is a list of resources for people with ALS and their families who are affected by Hurricane Harvey. Please contact us with any additional questions you may have.