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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Scooter recommendations? in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Here is the video of my husband on an accessible Mt Tamalpais trail in the aforementioned Whill chair. We traversed the first .12 mile of McKennan Gulch Trail which led to a stone bench overlooking Bolinas Lagoon, Marin County. The trail continues on for several miles, but we did not adventure that far as it becomes much steeper. Accessible meant…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Scooter recommendations? in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 1 month, 2 weeks ago
My husband uses a Whill mobility chair. The engineering on the front wheels is amazing and allows him to turn on a dime. He can navigate grass, curbs up to 2″, and outdoor trails if they are wide enough and not too bumpy. We took it on a designated accessible outdoor trail close to our home and it navigated the hard packed rocky terrain just fine!…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Acupuncture: Have You Tried It? in the forum Living With ALS 3 months, 4 weeks ago
Fascinating articles. Although sample size is small it appears that acupuncture does not make the condition worse. Any stabilization and improved QoL seems worth the effort. Thanks for sharing. Will add this to list of questions for next appt with neurologist.
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Preventative Care After Being Diagnosed With ALS in the forum Living With ALS 4 months, 1 week ago
We continue preventative care via annual physicals, dental, vision and dermatology appts. Some of the bloodwork done during quarterly ALS clinic and clinical trial blood draws overlaps with bloodwork required for annual physicals. We also stay up to date on vaccinations (Covid, shingles, tetanus, whooping cough, etc.) Preventative care helps…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Swallowing your pride and using a walker/rollator in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 4 months, 1 week ago
A rollator is very helpful! Like many of you we have transitioned through a cane, walking sticks, a 3-wheel rollator and a 4-wheel rollator (we have two types). A few months ago we purchased a motorized WHILL chair which I highly recommend for longer treks–it can manage accessible trails and up to a 10degree grade. It also breaks down into 3 p…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic ALS and falls in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 4 months, 3 weeks ago
I don’t know how responsive your neurologist or care team is, but they should know about the falls. I hope your neurologist is a member of an ALS excellence care team. We are at UCSF in San Francisco, but I’ve found that our care is only as good as our advocacy. There are intermediate steps before a power chair IMO and we have several mobility…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic ALS and falls in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Is this a Bridgestone or a Brookstone model. I googled Bridgestone and search results came up Brookstone. Do you have the model number? Thanks!
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic ALS and falls in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Dustin–what is the make and model of your lightweight transfer chair that you use for travelling?
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Is anyone getting the 4th shot/booster? in the forum Coronavirus (COVID-19) and ALS 5 months ago
Dagmar—looking forward to the new thread on ‘how to maintain one’s voice’. Thank you in advance. Mary
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Is anyone getting the 4th shot/booster? in the forum Coronavirus (COVID-19) and ALS 5 months ago
We’ll be getting the next Covid booster next week. Have already received the flu vaccine. Here are two articles that address new Covid vaccines and timing issues related to getting Covid and flu vaccines. Dr. Baker is a good friend and well versed in the science. His credentials speak for…[Read more]
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Gideon and
MaryConnolly are now friends 5 months ago
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic What kind of power lift chairs are recommended by ALS people like me in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 5 months, 1 week ago
There are several ‘power lift’ aids that my husband currently uses to get from sitting to standing in a variety of situations. For walking he uses a 4-wheeled rollator (Drive Nitro, foldable with seat) to assist walking short distances and he has a motorized WHILL chair for longer excursions. He does not use a power wheel chair.
Our current…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Recommendations for tilting shower chairs in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 6 months ago
Here is the website for Team Gleason Assistance: https://teamgleason.org/need-assistance/ The website is very robust and I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter and taking a look around it. Steve Gleason has ALS and is vested in helping pALS and cALS and their families in tangible and meaningful ways.
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Recommendations for tilting shower chairs in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 6 months ago
Here is the website for Team Gleason Assistance: https://teamgleason.org/need-assistance/ The website is very robust and I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter and taking a look around it. Steve Gleason has ALS and is vested in helping pALS and cALS and their families in tangible and meaningful ways. &…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Recommendations for tilting shower chairs in the forum Mobility Aides, Assistive Technology and Medical Equipment 6 months, 1 week ago
Hi all! You may want to check the Team Gleason website for financial assistance to purchase a tilting/rolling shower chair. I don’t have all the info handy right now, but will add another post with more detail. Thanks for your patience.
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Sleeping in the forum A Forum for ALS Caregivers 6 months, 1 week ago
Agreed and preaching to the choir. All the more reason to stay involved on the advocacy front. Surely we caregivers have plenty to do and we know our pALS do as well. Do what you can, share what you know and keep writing your reps! Best to you all! Take good care.
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Sleeping in the forum A Forum for ALS Caregivers 6 months, 1 week ago
OMG-this is all so timely! The SitnStand Portable Lift Chair sounds perfect for getting out to see friends without getting swallowed in their sofa. And from the video on the website we learned that it can raise a person up to a height of 8″, which is a lot! Now to check our adjustable bed to see if we can “uncouple” the 2 platforms. I just wish…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Sleeping in the forum A Forum for ALS Caregivers 6 months, 1 week ago
John-You mentioned the mattress is “flexible to allow the bed to bend with the motorized platform.” Did you put this mattress on a hospital style bed (like a Rom Hil hospital bed frame) or did you purchase the Nectar adjustable base? And what size did you get for Julie? We currently have a King on an adjustable base and my husband is not having…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic Are you a part of any ALS support groups? in the forum Living With ALS 7 months, 3 weeks ago
I joined the in-person caregiver group the week after my husband’s dX in Jan 2020—it was in the small town where I lived so super convenient! Then COVID hit and the group was switched to online Zoom which I think has worked well. We are still doing the Zoom call once a month and participants are from close-by surrounding counties and the group i…[Read more]
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MaryConnolly replied to the topic What do you think of this new form of Radicava? in the forum Research Topics 10 months ago
Please carefully read this very long press release about Radicava ORS. There are links to resources including the JourneyMate program which may help you understand and provide information and support for obtaining Radicava ORS. https://www.mt-pharma-america.com/2022/05/12/mitsubishi-tanabe-pharma-america-announces-fda-approval-for-the-treatment-of-als/
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