Town rallies to help man battling ALS


11/08/07
By Michelle Felter



Mark Ellison has Lou Gehrig’s Disease, also known as ALS. Also pictured is Terry Ellison.


SIKESTON — Mark Ellison’s life changed when he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, last May.

“He really has gone down,” said his sister, Dianne Shantz. “He can’t speak and he’s lost virtually all mobility.”

Now that Ellison gets around in a wheelchair, it’s difficult to get through his home and even take a shower. This weekend, friends and family members are coming together to sponsor a family fun night and chili supper to raise money primarily to help make Mark and Terry Ellison’s home handicap- accessible.

The renovations that event organizers hope to add to their home are “very crucial,” said Lori Dobbs, health care service coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. “They’re already robbed of their muscles, you don’t want to take away someone having their bath.”

Jill Hopson, a family friend, agreed. “It just makes a difference in Mark being able to go about his day-to-day living,” she said. “And to give Terry some relief.”

ALS is a disease of parts of the nervous system that control voluntary muscle movements. There is no known cause or cure, and the average lifespan is three to five years after diagnosis, Dobbs said.

“Every patient is different,” said Dobbs, who has worked with Ellison on his healthcare-related issues.

Some cases begin in the upper body; others in the lower body. Ellison’s hit his upper muscles first.

“He’s got a very severe form of ALS,” Dobbs said. “His speech has already deteriorated, and he’s using a communication device to speak to people right now.”

The idea for this weekend’s fundraiser came about when Hopson and other friends and family felt “overwhelmed” for the family after listening to the Ellisons’ struggles — both had to quit their jobs and their house was in the midst of a remodeling Mark could no longer complete.

“We just began talking about guys who would work on the house, and we wanted to do this chili supper to raise funds,” Hopson said.

She noted that several people and even churches have come together to put on the event. “It’s one of the nice things about being in a small town,” Hopson said.

“I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who wanted to help and contribute,” Shantz agreed.

Hopson said the activities planned include something for everyone, children and adults alike.

“We just wanted to make it a family event because that’s the way Mark is,” Hopson said. “We kind of just planned things the way Mark would want them and be comfortable with.”

Dobbs also plans to attend Saturday night’s event. She’ll be there with educational materials about ALS and also to answer any questions people may have.

Those who have been with the Ellisons since Mark’s diagnosis said Mark and Terry are handling it well and Mark is no different, other than his speech and mobility limitations.

“He still has a great, cheerful disposition, he still smiles and grins at you,” Shantz said. “He’s just handling this with exceptional grace and a wonderful example of how to handle a tragedy.”

Hopson said Ellison’s strong faith is evident. “From the time that he has been diagnosed he has kept his positive attitude,” she said. “When you go to talk to Mark, Mark puts you at ease. You go there anticipating that you are going to comfort them, but that’s not what happens.”

And Dobbs said that Ellison has the attitude that he will fight it and not let ALS overcome him.

“He’s constantly saying ‘I am ALS’s worst enemy,’” she said. “He’s got the attitude ‘I am not going to let this get me depressed, I am not going to let this change my lifestyle.’”


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