Hello friends and family and Happy Spring! I am excited to again represent Team Ted at the annual ALS United Mid-Atlantic walk in Scranton on May 3.  Because everyone was so astonishingly generous last year, Team Ted set several records and was strongly encouraged to participate again this year.  Last year I focused on how ALS Mid-Atlantic, especially the equipment loaner program, was an important support to me and Ted during his ALS journey.  This year I want to highlight other support systems which may be in jeopardy.

     ALS is an affliction which immediately qualifies patients for Social Security disability and Medicare coverage.  If a patient is a family breadwinner and cannot work or provide health insurance, that is a tremendous stress for the patient and the family.  Same if the spouse of a ALS patient has to quit work to be a full time caregiver.  Social Security and Medicare provide important resources for families to rely on.  In the past the process to access these services was extremely efficient.  Remember that on average an ALS patient has only three years of life expectancy from the time of diagnosis, so delayed determinations can be devastating.  When Ted and I visited the local Social Security office to drop off his medical forms, the staff literally vaulted over the counter to accommodate us.  His case determination was settled in under three weeks and services began immediately.

     I am so concerned about the cutbacks to these agencies and how that will affect ALS patients and families going forward.  My goal is to see every ALS patient safe, engaged, and comfortable in their own home and that does require lots of resources. If federal resources are delayed, I know that ALS Mid-Atlantic will do their best to help patients and families. That is why I am again walking to support that effort.  I really appreciate any financial support and please do join me at PNC field in Scranton on the morning of May 3 if you can!