THUNDER BAY - At the age of 67, Judy Nichols was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. That life-changing diagnosis hasn’t affected her spirit, though, and she continues to fight with the help of her husband of nearly 50 years, and the hundreds of others who continue to offer support year after year.
“The spirit of Judy, she has been absolutely amazing,” Jerry Nichols said. “She is always positive, she never feels sorry for what is going on.”
More than 200 people participated in the 18th Annual Walk for ALS on Saturday. Walks were taking place in cities across Canada. Locally the goal is to raise more than $25,000.
“Last year we blew it out of the water and raised more than $51,000,” said Nicole Deschamps, regional manager for ALS Canada for Northwestern Ontario. “This year we are hoping to beat that goal.”
“The walk for ALS is the main fundraiser for ALS Canada,” Deschamps continued. “It is very important because it is the fundraiser that helps us provide funds for local support, equipment loans to clients and families living with ALS, as well as help toward research to find a treatment for ALS to make it a treatable, not a terminal disease.”
ALS is a motor neuron disease that can cause stiff muscles, muscle twitching, and weakness, and eventually results in difficulty speaking, swallowing and breathing. There is no cure for ALS and Deschamps said it can be an expensive disease to manage, which is why fundraisers like the Walk for ALS are so important.
“Having ALS can be very expensive,” she said. “The disease can progress very rapidly sometimes. There is a variety of equipment that is needed.”
ALS Canada offers equipment loan programs for things like hospital beds, walkers, scooters, or power wheelchairs.
Deschamps added that there is not enough awareness about the disease, particularly its progression and how it can impact not only the person living with ALS, but also the family.
Trish Somerleigh, a longtime friend of Judy Nichols, wanted to help Judy and her family by starting Team Namaste Judy. This being just their first year participating in the walk, the team was one of the top fundraisers this year.
“My goal was when I set up the team was I thought I could raise $1,000, and we are over $5,000 today,” she said. “We’ve done really well.”
Somerleigh said seeing a friend living with ALS and watching them lose their ability to speak, do things, or breath can be very heartbreaking.
“It rips your heart out,” she said. “But Jerry has been just phenomenal. Twenty-four hours a day, Jerry looks after Judy. But Judy has been the most positive person you can imagine.”
But they cannot do it alone, and seeing the hundreds of people coming out year after year to support the Walk for ALS definitely lifts Jerry and Judy’s spirits.
“It’s totally amazing,” Jerry said. “The number of people who have come by to support us, not just with the fundraising, but in general over the last two years she has been diagnosed. It has been a constant support from our friends and our family.”
