Help Honor the 75th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech by Supporting ALS Research!
The speech that Lou Gehrig gave at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, two weeks after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has become one of the most famous and beloved moments in sports history where he described himself as the "luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
Less than two years later, Gehrig died from ALS, leaving a legacy behind of dignity and strength in the face of adversity and a streak of playing 2,130 games that held for five decades. Since that time we’ve made some great strides in research toward a cure for ALS but we still have more work to do.
That’s why in this 75th anniversary year of that summer day, we are launching an effort to honor Lou Gehrig’s legacy by helping to further the work of scientists seeking to find a cure for what has become known to many as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. We’re committed to raising $75,000 to fund ALS research and you can help.
There are two ways you can help us!
First, we hope you will be able to join us at Yankee Stadium on the afternoon of July 2nd for a special game with a tribute to Lou Gehrig by both the Yankees and Major League Baseball. We have secured access to two air conditioned luxury suites and have tickets available at the $275 and $475 levels.
We also hope you will help us meet our goal of raising $75,000 for ALS research by making a special donation of $75 or more before July 4th. In recognition of your donation, we will send you a commemorative 75th Anniversary Lou Gehrig bobblehead as our thank you.
Like Lou, our PALS also have a lot to live for and you can make a difference. Together, let's bid farewell to ALS!
For more information about July 2nd Yankee tickets or the Lou Gehrig bobblehead, please contact Joni at gehrig75@als-ny.org or (973) 783-5588.
Saturday, Sept. 20
Long Island, NY |
Sunday, Oct. 19
Hudson Valley, NY |
Registration for the 2014 Walk to Defeat ALS season is open!
Visit www.ALSWALKS.org to register for a Walk near you this year!
Join us for the Spring Walks in June. For more information or
to find a Walk
near you, log on to WWW.ALSWALKS.ORG
Ask Ben: Mounts To Hold Communications Devices
My mother has ALS and uses a communication device. The device has always been on a table in front of her. She is most comfortable in a lounge chair, which she stays in almost all day. Because of weakness in her neck, she has recently been reclining the chair back just a little. But it is now difficult to look at the communication device. Is there something that can hold the device so she can see it?
– Maryann, Rockland County
Positioning is so important to comfort. A slight angle of recline diminishes the effort needed to keep your mother’s head upright. But her field of view (what she can see in front of her) is now looking above the device, instead of horizontally straight ahead.
A mount is the component you will need to look into. Mounts attach to the communication device and can be adjusted for height and angle. There are sturdy mounts that attach to a wheelchair that can hold the heavier communication devices in place. This gives access to the device wherever you go.
If you are in bed or reclining chair, there are rolling mounts that can be wheeled over you, and adjusted so you can view the device at the right angle. Or a small table mount can be placed on an Overbed Table.
Lighter devices like tablets, can be held in place by lightweight, flexible mounts that attach to the side of a bed or chair.
Mounts may be covered by your insurance, so a good first step is to contact your communication device company.
Our loan closet has several rolling mounts and as always, please contact me if you have any questions on this or any other assistive technology topic.
- Ben
Ben Lieman, ATP, MSW is the Assistive Technology Specialist with the Greater New York Chapter, advising patients and caregivers about medical equipment, home accessibility, and augmentative communications devices. To ask Ben a question, simply email him at blieman@als-ny.org or call at (212) 720-3057. Ben will answer all questions directly as usual, but not all questions will appear in the Monthly Update.
Join Us in Raising Awareness At Area
Minor League Baseball Parks This Summer!
Join the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter’s award winning Walk staff at a minor league baseball game this Summer to help raise awareness and promote the 2014 Walks to Defeat ALS
Thursday, July 17th at Richmond County Bank Ballpark with the Staten Island Yankees. The SI Yanks will take on the Williamsport Crosscutters and the first pitch is at 7:00PM.
Thursday, July 24th at MCU Park with the Brooklyn Cyclones. The Cyclones will take on the Vermont Lake Monsters and the first pitch is at 7:00PM.
Tickets are complimentary but limited! Get them while supplies last! For more information or to reserve tickets to any of the above games, please contact: Kristen Cocoman at: Cocoman@als-ny.org or (212)720-3048.
In Need of Help?
If you are a patient, caregiver, or family member and need a little help to lighten your work load please contact us and we will request a volunteer for you. Volunteers can help in many ways - from walking your dog, shopping, or just reading aloud.
If you live in New York please contact Christine Dunn at (212) 720- 3044 or dunn@als-ny.org. If you live in New Jersey contact Debbie Schlossberg at (732) 710-8832 or schlossberg@als-ny.org.
Join our Young Professionals Group
The YPG generates awareness of the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) by developing fun, sophisticated and meaningful opportunities for their peers to get involved in the cause.
For information about the next general meeting of the Young Professionals Group please email alsypg@gmail.com.
For information about the ALS Association's Young Professionals Group, please click here.
Información en Español
The Greater New York Chapter website now has information on ALS and Chapter services in Spanish. If you know someone with ALS who may need information in Spanish, please refer them to www.als-ny.org/espanol.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Advocate
The Greater New York Chapter continues to be on the front
lines of policy debates that shape the lives of people with ALS. From healthcare to research to veterans affairs, The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter is at the table on the federal, state and local levels of government making the concerns of ALS patients and their families and caregivers known.
If you're interested in joining our advocacy efforts, please contact Kim Peters at (212) 720-3054 or kpeters@als-ny.org.
Volunteer
We need volunteers to help our patients and their families. Some PALS may need help with daily tasks; families and caregivers of our PALS may need help as well to lighten their work load a bit. There are so many ways to help - from watching a video together or reading, or even helping with some household chores.
If you are looking for a way to get involved please click here or learn how you can help people with ALS. You can also call Christine Dunn at (212) 720-3044 or email: dunn@als-ny.org for New York, or Debbie Schlossberg at (732) 710-8832 or email: schlossberg@als-ny.org for New Jersey.
Donate
Make a generous gift to find a cure and fund life saving research and to provide much needed equipment and services. To make a donation online, please click here. Kim Peters at (212) 720-3054 or kpeters@als-ny.org. To mail a donation, please address to: The ALS Association Greater
New York Chapter, 42 Broadway, Suite 1724, New York, NY 10004. Thank you for your generous support.
Connect
Find out instantly about the latest in ALS research,
advocacy efforts, special events, and patient services. Additionally, if you or
a loved one have a blog about living with ALS, please let us know. Stay connected.
You can find our chapter on many social media websites: Facebook | Twitter | ALS Blog | YouTube | LinkedIn. Find our Walk to Defeat ALS department on social media too: Walk Facebook Page | Walk Twitter.
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