Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a powerful, terminal illness that functions as an internal predator, stealing all the ways we are able to enjoy the good things in life before taking over the body completely.  It's a stark reminder of our mortality, offering a challenge to live each day as if it's the last.  

Team Kammerer Kadets is here for its tenth year.  September, 2015 wasn't Matt's first ALS Walk, my cousin Jim Stethem had Lous Gehrig's disease too, but it was his last.  Seven months into this dreadful diagnosis, my athletic husband knew that his days of standing on his own two feet were numbered so he was determined to finish.  By September 2016, he couldn't go anywhere without a wheelchair so as our Team Captain, he remained seated at the tent while everyone else "marched for Matt."   

Adapting to the swift changes of the disease is what kept him going with hope, courage and confidence.  He was learning to use his "Maserati" (our nickname for the motorized wheelchair) at 2017 Walk time.  Just four months later, and exactly one week before Christmas, his heart gave out after a long day at Ohio State which culminated at a planned overnight in a nearby hospice facility.

Incredibly, the lifespan from time of diagnosis doesn't seem to have changed much since Yankee baseball player, Lou Gehrig gave his famed "Luckiest Man" speech.  What has changed, however, is the overwhelming support available.  I urge you to join me in the fight against this dreadful death sentence!  Anything and everything helps...your presence, your prayers, your dollar bills.  Just pick one and do it.  Please.