Hi, friends.

When someone you love gets diagnosed with ALS, the first thing you ask is what can I do to help? For many people like me, the answer is to participate in Walk ALS Georgia, which raises awareness and money to support Georgians living with ALS. This year I’m participating in honor of Mrs. Linda Jones & have joined her team called Lindas Legends to support her, Mr. Doug, Karen Jones Brescia, Aaron Jones, & the rest of their family.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disease that slowly robs a person of the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. It can strike anyone and, although there has been a lot of advancements in ALS research, we still don’t know what causes it. An ALS diagnosis is fatal because there is no cure.

This year, Mrs. Linda retired from Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (ELCA) as their art teacher, a job which she loved dearly. She served as a teacher there for many years teaching children English language arts & later writing, which is why she holds a special place in my heart. To teach into your 70s (sorry, I’m giving away your age, Mrs. Linda) is an incredible feat! Over the years, she’s always sent words of encouragement my way & wanted to hear about my growth as a teacher. I can’t thank her enough for every heartfelt prayer prayed for my students & me.

My why? I am walking so that, one day, when Georgians hear the words, “You have ALS,” it will no longer mean that they likely will die within two to five years. I am walking so that Georgians living with ALS today know that they are not alone. I’m walking to assure that when they need help, they will be able to get it from ALS United of Georgia. I am walking to give them hope.
 
You may not know anyone with ALS, but you do know me, and I am asking for your support if you feel led to do so. Will you please consider joining me to make strides in the fight against ALS? You can join our team, make a gift to support our team, or send well wishes. With your help, we can enhance the lives of people living with ALS, every day until we find a cure.

*Walk ALS Georgia takes place on Saturday, September 20th. Stay tuned for updates!

Also, if you made it this far, thank you for taking time to read this post.

With much hope to find a cure,
 
Jessica