Caregiver's National Quilt Contest Supports ALS Association's Global Resear...(sponsors it was quite surprising to me h...),Health

Thompson hopes that people with ALS will appreciate the fact that someone made these quilts especially for them.

“We are asking the quilter to attach a note of introduction and well wishes with the quilt,” she said. “The quilt and note will reassure people with ALS that they are not forgotten and that there are people out there thinking of them. This will raise their hopes that awareness is being raised and warm their hearts and laps by receiving this special homemade gift.”

In 2008, still reeling from the shock and devastation of her son’s diagnosis one year earlier, Thompson and her family decided that the best way to honor Josh Thompson was to raise awareness, money for research and reach out to help ALS patients.

Thompson, who lives just six blocks away from her son, and her family assembled the largest team to participate in the Virginia Beach Walk to Defeat ALS, The Association’s national signature event. Nearly 8,000 people participated on the JT Walk team and raised more than $600,000.

Josh Thompson, once a world class surfer is paralyzed and needs a ventilator to breathe. He recently was released from a hospital after surviving a bout of pneumonia.

“It is heartbreaking,” said Thompson. “It is heartbreaking to have someone you love so much and was so strong and athletic to need you to take care of them. That aspect of it makes it emotionally difficult. It is physically difficult.”

“You have a grown adult who needs to be moved or relocated to have his physical needs met and that is challenging for the caregiver,” Thompson continued. “At the same time, I treasure every moment that I get to spend with hi
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