ALS spouses may be paid
The spouses of people living with ALS may soon be paid to care for loved ones

By Laura Michels
Posted: Thursday, February 07, 2008 at 6:29 p.m.

A local couple says they are hoping the state will change its laws about how they pay the care givers of people living with ALS.

Dennis Kuperschmid has ALS. His wife Kathi doesn't work so she can care for him.

The couple lives on Dennis's disability and Kathi says it would be nice to be paid what an outside caregiver would get.

“People say that's your responsibility. Yes it is my responsibility, but I still have to live,” said Kathi Kupferschmid.

Dennis first experienced symptoms in 1998 when he couldn't move his foot. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2000.

State Sen. Dave Koehler is working on a bill that would allow spouses to be paid for care.

http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=93673