It’s not a disease that affects only old men; it targets men and women of every color, and every age. 

I am Loretta Jamar. I live in New Jersey.

I was diagnosed August 2019 with bulbar onset. Usually people with bulbar onset progress rapidly. They did an EMG and immediately told me: you have ALS. Basically, “Diagnose and adios.” No treatment plan; there are no treatments. Nothing. My youngest daughter was with me that day; she was crying so much that I didn’t say anything so I wouldn’t upset her more. Neither one of us would say ALS; we referred to the disease as “that acronym.”

Prior to the diagnosis I had many medical issues and neurological conditions. Seizures, fibromyalgia, lupus, herniated discs, blood disorder, even a parotid mass. So I’m used to getting bad news, but not like this.

It’s not a disease that affects only old men; it targets men and women of every color, and every age.

My heart hurts every day. We need to slow the disease and heal. We need prayers. We need a cure ASAP.