Kamloops family impacted by ALS diagnosis keeping humour and positivity at the forefront – CFJC Today Kamloops

Joanne is a much more eloquent speaker, he starts, before Joanne interjects, Its because I talk all the time!

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Since Ross was diagnosed, Joanne says their friends and family have been there from Day One. Meals are regularly dropped off, the lawn gets mowed, and help is offered for any other tasks around the house. While some friends may not know how to handle the news or how to act as comfortably as before, Joanne says no one has shied away.

Its frightening for us. Its hard for people to see us in this situation, but we are becoming okay with it, she says. I want people to know its okay. Its okay to say, Oh walking a little you know youre struggling today! Its okay to say that because its all in humour. We know it and we appreciate humour. Just treat us normally like you would anybody.

Since the diagnosis, the Duncans have connected with other families through the local ALS support group, and spent more time with friends and family. Through the experience, Ross says hes been shown how much people care.

Learn to accept it if people offer you help with different things, he says. Whether its emotional support or whether its physical help. Dont be afraid to take it, dont be too proud to accept peoples offers of help.

Ross and Joanne have spent nearly 40 years together and are well aware of what challenges lie ahead in the months to come. But the pair say theyre choosing to fill those days with positive moments.

We just go with it, says Joanne. Its our reality now, and the world is just a little more special to us now than it used to be.

Saturday (June 19), walkers will take to the streets for a virtual version of the 2021 Walk to End ALS. Proceeds will go towards the ALS Society of BC for programs, services and equipment at no cost for ALS patients and their families.

Ross will need a cane for this years walk but is particularly eager to raise money for the ALS Society. Recently, the province pledged $2 million for the Societys latest undertaking, Project Hope. This will establish a permanent ALS research professorship at UBC with the goal of increasing patient access to clinical trials.

Id love to participate in things like that if its going to help somebody else, says Ross, though he acknowledges by the time treatments are curated it may be years from now. In this case its not about me. Its about people in the future.

The Duncans say any caring act is appreciated when it comes to ALS whether its financial support for research, emotional support for a loved one or simply maintaining a friendship.

To donate to this years walk, or learn more about the ALS Society of BC, click here.

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Kamloops family impacted by ALS diagnosis keeping humour and positivity at the forefront - CFJC Today Kamloops