ALS CONNECT

Having the Conversations None of Us Want to Have

Conversations about end-of-life care and advance care planning are difficult in the best of circumstances. For those with ALS and their families, these conversations present their own challenges, and the challenges of these conversation are often unique. It can be hard to think about planning for the future while the present has so many complications of its own. It can also be upsetting to think about declining abilities and the inevitable outcome of the disease. But having these important conversations about the future at a time and place that you decide can provide piece of mind for everyone involved.

Walk a Crooked Path: The Big Bad Wolf and the Three Bears

By Saundra Stewart

Not so long ago in a land not so far away lived a brave, strong man and his white-haired wife. They loved their little blue cottage on the hill. They loved playing with their grandchildren, going for long bicycle rides, and camping – especially camping!

One day, life was going along much as normal, when there came a knock on the door. When the brave, strong man went to answer, there on the porch stood a big, ugly, horrible wolf. On the front of his sweatshirt were the letters “ALS.” The man didn’t know what that meant, but he knew the creature was one of the ugliest things he had ever seen! Right behind the wolf were three bears. Big bears. Scary bears.

Care Services FAQ

The care services team at the St. Louis Regional Chapter are the forefront of knowledge and information on ALS and what it looks like to live with the disease in our region. They answer questions from people with ALS and their families on a regular basis as they meet with families at clinics or during home visits. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions they receive.

Making Your Voice Heard on Capitol Hill

On March 13 and 14, ALS advocates went to Capitol Hill to speak with representatives about legislation and policies intended to improve the lives of people with ALS. ALS advocates Mark Calmes and Tara Klucker had preliminary meetings with key legislators that are pertinent to our legislative priorities.

Reflections from our Director of Programs and Services for Patient Care

Anna Zelinske, M.A., CRC, CCM joined our staff in the role of Director of Programs and Services for Patient Care last month. Anna has 19 years of experience in the disability field, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Service Agency Management from Missouri Valley College, and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Maryville University. She has a niche for developing and overseeing quality programs with a solid understanding of addressing the needs in the community and working with a team to making a positive impact for those served. In today’s post, Anna shares her story of how she got her start in the disability field and her work at the Chapter so far.

Walk a Crooked Path: The Irony of Life

Today’s blog post is the first installment of a recurring monthly series from our good friend Saundra Stewart. When her husband, Don, was diagnosed with ALS, Saundra became his full-time caregiver for over 10 years. In her series, “Walk a Crooked Path”, Saundra shares her insights on ALS as a caregiver.

By Saundra Stewart

Ever heard of Lou Gehrig? I can remember my dad, an avid baseball fan, talking about Mr. Gehrig when I was just a kid. Because Dad liked him, I made it my business to like him, too. I read books, I watched movies, I educated myself — especially about the odd illness that Lou Gehrig came down with: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — ALS. What a long name, and what a devastating disease.

Navigating Nutrition for People with ALS

With all of the changes that come with ALS, how people with the disease continue to provide nourishment for their bodies and maintain a healthy diet is an important consideration. In recognition of National Nutrition Month, we asked some common questions about nutrition and ALS to Nicole Dirnbeck, MA, RD/LD, a clinical dietitian at St. Louis University Hospital and ALS dietitian for SLUCare.