fbpx

I am Robert Abernathy

a family member of someone living with ALS,
caring for someone living with ALS

New Mexico


Over the year, walking became more difficult and she suspected MS. Her neurologist instead diagnosed ALS and predicted she would have 2 to 5 years to live. Our lives changed completely since then.

My wife and I were married in 2006. We were both already over 40 but still wanted children. My wife quit working to become a mother and we were blessed with two sons born in 2008 and 2010. When the kids were in school, my wife decided to start working part time as a vet tech. To her surprise, she was not able to do the tasks assigned to her. She was let go and spent the next year seeking a reason for her issues. Over the year, walking became more difficult and she suspected MS. Her neurologist instead diagnosed ALS and predicted she would have 2 to 5 years to live.

Our lives changed completely since then. As she lost the ability to walk, we decided that our current house was not suitable. We sold her car and our house, bought a used handicapped van and a used wheelchair accessible RV. I took early retirement, permanently losing about a third of my pension, so I could be her full time caretaker. She is now completely disabled, cannot use her rms or legs, on a ventilator full time, and is fed through a tube. What stings the most is that my wife, despite 20 years of contributions to Social Security and Medicare, is not eligible for disability because she was not working for 10 years. We have my pension and health insurance but absolutely no support from federal or state government.


More stories

See all stories

Back to Top

Join us for the 2024 Community Summit!

Join us in Washington DC from May 29th - June 2nd for the 3rd annual ALS Awareness Month flag display and inaugural Community Summit.

Learn more! Continue to the site