CLARA'S ALS JOURNEY
Early in 2016, while living happily in Florida, Clara started suffering from pain in her hands. A doctor told her she probably had carpel tunnel syndrome. In April 2016, she started having difficulty lifting her arms and then started having difficulty walking and climbing stairs. Another doctor told her she probably had a back problem. Over the next 3 months, her symptoms rapidly got worse. She saw many doctors and was tested for several disorders. The doctors gave mixed diagnoses. The doctors really didn’t know what was wrong with her. Finally, one of her doctors referred her to Tampa General Hospital where she underwent a rigorous series of tests for multiple disorders. The test results were shocking: Clara was diagnosed with ALS.
In early September, we moved Clara to Charlestown, WV, to live with her daughter Cyndi, her grandchildren, and son-in-law. On September 20, 2016, we took her to the ALS Center at George Washington University Medical Center. The doctors at the ALS Center, which is certified by the ALS Association, officially confirmed her diagnosis. Clara was heartbroken, as were her family and friends.
Please watch the above video to hear more from her and see what her life is like now.
We invite you to check this page often for continuing updates on Clara's status