By Tanya Cronin

Supporting ALS Society at annual walk

Jun 17, 2016 | 2:44 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a terminal disease, and right now there is no cure or effective treatment. ALS – or Lou Gehrig’s Disease – destroys muscles, and over time it leads to a loss of mobility, loss of speech, and it eventually stops someone’s ability to breath. 

Saturday marks the 7th annual Walk for ALS at Riverside Park. Kamloops residents will gather to support the thousands of Canadians living with ALS, and remember those who have lost their battle.

WATCH: Full report by Tanya Cronin

“When you’re diagnosed, as crass as it sounds, it’s a death sentence, there’s nothing.”    
    
Nancy Lynds holds tight the memories of her husband Randy. It was just over 2 and a half years ago, December 14th, 2013, that Randy lost his battle with ALS.                 

Boogie The Bridge

Boogie The Bridge Event Information

Apr 19, 2024

Question of the Week

Is 'Canada's Tournament Capital' an accurate description of Kamloops?

19h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Vulnerability

19h ago

“His just happened to be very rapid, it was his hands and arms and then it went to his legs and then within 6 months he was in a wheelchair,” says Lynds.

In a span of one year, the Lynds’ family’s life chanced drastically. Randy, once a foreman at Highland Valley Copper, with a passion for riding his motorbike, was quickly robbed of his mobility and independence. 

“Near the end we did have home care come to put him to bed, get him up in the morning and shower him and such because we needed lifts for him, but at first I would lift him out of bed while he still had a bit of mobility, but it’s a 24/7 job, and once they get further along they always need suctioning.”

But through it all, it was mind over matter for Randy, he kept his spirits high and did what he could, for as long as he could. He participated in the annual ALS Walk in 2013, and was recognized for his hard work and determination in raising funds that same year.

“I everyday thank the ALS society for what they’ve done for us, and everybody else, and they’re there for anybody, sadly you don’t know about them until you need them, but they’re a wonderful, amazing group.”

ALS is a complex neurological disease, that disconnects muscles from nerves, causing muscle tissue to break away. It can be rapid and progressive, and not always hereditary.

“It can affect anybody and at any age, even though I think it’s more common as you get older, but we’ve heard of very young individuals that are diagnosed with ALS,” says Pat Tomlinson, ALS Walk Coordinator.

The ALS Society is dedicated to one day finding a cure. The walk donates 40% of money raisd to assist research, but 60%  is earmarked for any equipment a patient may need.

“Patients can also get money for travel, so if they’re living in Kamloops and have to travel to Vancouver for treatment, they’ll receive help with that, there’s counselling, there’s all different forms of support and not just for individuals living with ALS, but there’s also support for the families.”

For Randy, it was the ALS Society that provided him with walkers, a wheelchair, and a high tech computerized system on his glasses that even gave him the ability to communicate. The journey for the Lynds family has been difficult, but they’ve received an outpouring of love and support, and that will be evident again at this year’s walk honouring a man who lived life to the fullest. 

“We’re still “Lindsfactor” and we’re still rolling for Randy,” says Lynds.

The walk begins at 10am Saturday June 18th at Riverside Park. Registration is at 9am. For more information or to make a donation – visit www.walkforals.ca.