Ministering to PALS and CALS (part II)

Some ALS patients choose to be on a ventilator to help them breathe. Being on a ventilator can extend patients’ lives past the average of 3-5 years. However, doing so could be costly and a possible burden on families. One lady had been on a ventilator for twelve years and another man for fourteen. They have the best attitudes and lead good lives despite the negative aspects.

Some people I follow on Twitter, Facebook, and blogs use special communication devices. One woman still has her voice and uses voice-activated software to speak to her computer and type words. Many people with ALS (PALS) can no longer use their hands due to paralysis. One man pecks the keyboard with his middle fingers, while several PALS use computers that track their eye movements to write.

I joined an ALS Forum and posted two chapters of this book weekly to help people now. My posted tread is located under the Past Caregivers (CALS) section. CALS (caregivers of PALS) check this section for support and often have many questions because of a PAL in their care. I get excited when a CALS caregiver leaves a nice comment on my thread. It’s rewarding to see I may be helping someone now, rather than when my book is published.

Ministering to PALS and CALS (part I)

Several people on Facebook ALS groups have invited me to join. Most people are there to support one another. Some are PALS or family members, while others joined because a loved one died from ALS. Still, others participate to raise awareness of the disease or to raise funds for a cure. 

I follow a PAL on social media who's a Hospice Chaplain but resigned because he, too, had ALS. These people grew on me—I view them as family, though we haven’t met. We share a bond and a connection that reminds me of the Christian body of believers.