Appalachian State University Boone, NC

http://www.alumni.appstate.edu/blog/?p=3726

Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007
An update on Keri
| All posts , Alumni profiles

We first heard about Kerri Brown Still ’99 from her close friend and former roomate at Appalachian Jennifer Lassiter. Keri was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in December 2006. Jennifer set up a website called Help Keri to tell Keri’s story and educate readers about the disease.

Today’s Winston Salem Journal includes a story on Keri and her downhill battle with ALS…

Keri, 29, has been through one physical crisis after another, and each one has left her weaker. A few weeks ago, her breathing became more labored, and she had to gulp air to speak when she told her story…Keri Brown Still grew up outgoing and independent. She became the friend that everyone leaned on, the person they would call when things went wrong and they needed someone to talk to. She was also a firecracker, said Lassiter, who met Keri when they were both freshmen at Appalachian State University.

…As their bills pile up, (Keri’s husband) longs to go back to work, but he knows he has to be there for Keri. The couple had no income from January until August, when disability benefits from Social Security kicked in. The Browns have paid many of their bills, and the Stills are still awaiting resolution of a disability policy that she bought at her last job.

…Her mother and her best friend said that Keri’s spark and fire have dimmed. They know that hope is all but lost. But knowing and accepting are two different things.”