In Joe's case, there is a family history of ALS. His grandfather died of ALS in 1978. This is considered the familial type that occurs in only 5-10% of cases. To make things worse, Joe's started in his respiratory system, paralyzing part of his diaphragm. This is extremely rare, happening in only 1% of ALS cases. Joe can no longer work, and depends on a bipap machine for breathing among several other devices. Since his illness was diagnosed he has been issued a hospital bed to sleep in an upright position. Along with the use of a power wheelchair, or power scooter to get around. Some items are provided by ALS association for as long as Joe needs them.  They do their best to help keep their patients active and comfortable along with being involved in a support group to explain what is happening to him on a daily basis. This is a horrible disease that takes away a part of you daily or can attack all at one time. Joe has use of a computer which he has just recently learned how to use, after becoming ill, because he does not want to lose contact with the outside world. 
 
The ALS association estimates the cost to care for an ALS patient per year is over $200,000.
 
Then there are every day living expenses that continue to occur for which he has NO back up income and has exhausted all saving’s over the past year. This is why he needs your help to keep the lights on, and a roof over his head. He has stretched a dollar as far as it can go.
 
His son Jason is a very large concern for Joe since he has provided for him all his life. Jason’s inability to work is because of the constant pain, and use of pain medications he is required to take daily to manage the pain. This makes day to day tasks and holding a job difficult due to physical strength, and inability to maintain train of thought for only short periods of time, along with drowsiness and other side effects of the daily medications.
 
Jason was born with multiple birth defects and after multiple surgeries as a child left with hip and leg deformities.
 
At age 31, Jason continues to live with his father, he is unable to work, or support himself due to Scoliosis of the spine, Degenerative Disc disease, as well as the need for a total hip replacement.  Jason is unable to work and struggles to help his father with his everyday tasks due to his own physical condition and lack of strength he is unable to physically help his father.
 
Joe is struggling to make it day to day. He is a fighter, a go-getter but he is unable to work, or drive which is a hard acceptance for a man that has always been a hard working father. He struggles with how he will provide for his families since he is no longer finically able to do so. What he wish’s is to remain in the house he rents in Frederick where he calls home, until he is no longer with us.