ALS Society praises Galey Farms' aid
Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist
Published: Sunday, February 24, 2008

The cruelty of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the mind remains active while, bit by bit, the body packs up.

"It's devastating. It's like drowning in your own body when your mind is still there," said Linda Pendray, widow of David Pendray, a well-known Greater Victoria farmer and former president of Island Farms Co-op dairy, who died one year ago at the age of 57.

The other cruelty is that, as the body deteriorates, increasing amounts of equipment are needed to make life bearable, but the costs are not picked up by the B.C. government, said Wendy Magee, executive director of the ALS Society of B.C.

"The provincial society has to raise $2 million a year to make sure no one goes without equipment. These are not luxuries, these are necessities," she said.
Equipment needs range from a walker to a bed sore-preventing bed, and in Victoria, a legacy of Pendray's death is easing the suffering of about 30 people with ALS.

An endowment fund in Pendray's name is being used to buy equipment. Yesterday, Rob Galey of Galey Farms was recognized for his efforts over Christmas, when he raised $6,265 for the fund during the Holiday Magic exhibition at the farm.

"Our farm is the old Pendray farm. My father and David grew up together," said Galey.

It became a true community effort with volunteers and donations pouring in, he said.

"The need for help for people with ALS is just huge."

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimesc...3718d5&k=12961