To have known Joyce is to continue to love Joyce which is evident as she continues to live in the hearts and minds of so many of us.  Joyce never met a stranger in her life. Unlike the first 54 years of her life, Joyce’s last 2 years was nothing but hell as she battled ALS. A battle she fought with so much grace, humility and courage. 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a cruel, fatal neuromuscular disease that attacks every part of your physical being while robbing you of your true essence and dignity. It is very progressive and slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. ALS can strike anyone at any time at the drop of a dime without any rhyme or reason, and presently there is no known cause or cure.

Joyce’s soul finally escaped the bondage of ALS on September 2, 2024 at a time of her choosing, on her terms and before ALS could completely ravage her entire body.  I find solace in the fact she was at peace when she departed this earth.

I walk in memory of my loving wife and soul mate, Joyce Maddy, and because I want to give those countless and courageous souls who are battling this cruel disease today and those of us who will battle it in the future a puncher’s chance to knock out this disease once and for all.

Without a cure for ALS, this battle is the furthest thing from a fair fight. I know this because Joyce would have defeated it and still be here with us today if it had only stopped after it robbed her of her ability to speak, walk and swallow.  Yes, she had gotten ways past not having those essential abilities that some of us sometimes take for granted. But not having the ability to breathe was something she nor anyone in this world could overcome.  I personally see ALS as a slow and debilitating death sentence that needs to be eradicated from the face of this earth and it will take each and every one of us collectively doing our little part to make this a reality.

As dire and challenging as Joyce battle with ALS was, I am not sure what we would have done or how we would have coped and managed without the help and assistance provided by local ALS patients care programs and the advancements that have been made and continue to be made in ALS research and related technologies. They were instrumental in providing us with the services and apparatus to mitigate Joyce’s countless ALS challenges while maintaining a semblance of quality of life to a certain extend no matter how brief it seemed in the grand scheme of things.  They were indeed our silver lining in her battle filled with one dark cloud after another.

The ALS care programs and advancements in ALS research and related technology are made possible by ordinary folks like you, supporting, donating to and participating in various ALS fund raising events held throughout the year to raise funds and spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure.

Thank you for supporting my ALS United Walk fundraiser!  Please consider walking with me or sponsoring me. Although it is too late  for Joyce and countless others who have left us way too soon for one reason or another due to complications and challenges of ALS,  with your help, we will not only be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this cruel disease today and in the future, but we will also reverse the statistics and bring help, comfort and hope to those living with the disease so that no one ever hears the phrase: “You have ALS” again.

Continue to rest in Heavenly and Perfect Peace my beloved Joycie! We miss you!