I am Vicki Zwicker
a family member of someone we've lost to ALS,
a friend of someone we've lost to ALS,
someone who cared for a person we've lost to ALS
Virginia
I am still trying to adjust to life without her, as I had always taken for granted that we would grow old together.
My sister Bronwen was an artist, musician, a loving friend, and always the funniest person in the room. She was diagnosed with ALS in December 2017 at the age of 35, after having unexplained weakness in her left hand. Her progression was very rapid, and by the following summer she was no longer able to walk and her breathing was becoming difficult.
Watching her lose her ability to move, speak, eat and breathe was excruciating, and at the same time seeing her perpetual adaptability and humor were awe inspiring. Bronwen died in March of 2020 after being hospitalized for an infection.
I am still trying to adjust to life without her, as I had always taken for granted that we would grow old together. I feel angry that this disease came into our lives and motivated to help advocate for effective treatment and better quality of life for people with ALS and their loved ones.
