TO THE YEAR OF

and introduce you to Dr. John Trupiano.

story by | erica lemna

Dear Mom,

Where do I start? How do I express my gratitude for everything you have done for me over my lifetime? When I was younger, you rarely spent a second away from us kids. We had so much fun everyday together whether it was playing kickball or building blanket forts in the living room and you always wanted to take us with you and Dad on vacations. But, when I was only 9-years-old you started getting very tired and your feet began to drag; by the time I was ten, you were diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

You and Dad never told me you were only given two to five years to live because you knew that I was too young to fully understand. You didn’t have to tell me though; I knew that our family was changing drastically. You started needing more and more help with everyday activities, cooking, and cleaning. The hardest thing for me was watching you slowly lose your physical mobility first using a cane, then walker, and finally having to use a wheelchair. And as you began to slowly lose your physical mobility, you were always losing your balance and falling, which was devastating for me to watch. It was hard to see you cry and be in pain. I wanted to take it all away from you and make ALS go away.

As a child, I didn’t understand why you had this disease and why no other mom did. It made me angry; I just wanted you to be able to take me shopping and do activities together. I so badly wanted the mom I had when I was younger who could run around with us all day long. But, little did I know at the time, that mom never went away.

Even though ALS began to take over your body, you always remained positive and didn’t let it bring you down. You continued to be the most amazing mom and taught all three of us kids more than most kids will ever learn. You taught me responsibility and dependability at such a young age. You taught me that no matter how hard life gets, you never give up faith or hope. You always told me, “Give it to God,” because He can handle anything and everything when we no longer can. I can hear you every day in my head saying, “get your rest,” and I know just how important that is because of you.

I could go on and on, but I think the best thing you taught me was how to be compassionate. You were an amazing nurse with such a compassionate heart, and you passed that quality on to me. I still see how much compassion you have in your heart every single day; you are always putting others before yourself even though you are sick. I hope to make you very proud with my nursing career…overall I hope I make you one proud mom.

You continue to amaze me every single day. You didn’t listen to the doctors when they gave you only 2 to 5 years to live because 13 years later you are still fighting strong. ALS has robbed you of most of your physical mobility, but I have watched you in therapy do sit ups on an exercise ball and walk with the help of a walker. It’s very hard for me to see you live in the nursing home, but I know you are receiving the care you need.

Your mental ability is far stronger than any person I have ever met, and that is how I know I still have the same active Mom from when I was young.

So, how do I express my gratitude for everything you have done for me? I know that it all starts with helping you fight this disease. You have taught and given me so much, and you continue to each and every day. That is why I have dedicated my time to help fight this disease with you, and I will continue to until a cure is found. God put us on earth to do good and use our gifts to help others. I know I was meant to help you, Mom, and anyone who has ALS. I will continue to share your story so that more awareness can be spread about this devastating disease, and I will not rest until enough research dollars have been collected and a cure is found.

I will also make sure that money is raised so families can get the equipment they need for their loved one affected by ALS.

I love you so much, Mom, and I will continue to be your voice when you get tired and when you cannot travel. You make me grateful to have a Mom like you, … I am beyond blessed!

Love Your Daughter, Erica

Watch the YouTube video Erica made for her Mom, Kellie, titled: Kellie’s Story; A battle with ALS.

This section is dedicated to capturing your parent thoughts. Want to share what’s on your mind? Submit your article idea to info@onthemindsofmoms.com along with a short bio for consideration in an upcoming issue.