WALK TO DEFEAT ALS...because you can

Today was the ALS Walk to Defeat ALS. We did some prep work before the actual walk. We started a website that people can go to in order to donate to our cause (http://walks.alscolorado.org/index.php?s=42&group_id=205) So far we have earned $575.00...We are still accepting donations for the next week or two. It isn't too late! Then to we made baseball caps for all of us to wear to set us apart from the group. I have to say we all looked pretty snazzy wearing them!

Jessica decided to spruce hers up a little.

Since our team name is Sweet Grandma Rita's Team,

she put this on the back of the cap...

Then she made the front of hers all pretty!

It is great that she loves her grandma!!

What a GREAT team we have!
Not all of our members were present here in Denver.
We had a team in Arizona (Diana, Jason, Gracie & Sienna)
and another in Colorado Springs (Ryan & Jessica). (below) From left to Right....Sandy, Rick, Chris, Dad, Mom, Sandie, Wayne and Tiffany sitting in the Wheel Chair. There were LOTS of people who were there. I was amazed. My heart went out to all the families who are going through this like we are. The walk was a 5K walk. It was actually walking around the lake/pond 3 times. There were so many people that some were starting on their second round as the end of the bunch were just starting their first. We had a rocky start...Mom's wheelchair had problems...one of the tires died. Lucky for us, the ALS Association was prepared and lent us another one so that Mom could participate.

Here are a few pictures of us walking.

Chris enjoyed pushing grandma in her wheelchair. After pushing her for the lap around the lake, he went on to walk the next two laps. Pretty impressive especially since he had minor foot surgery a little over a week ago! Even Tiffany made it the full 3 laps.
Here is Dad walking...he made it all the way around the lake (just over 1 mile). We left Mom and Dad near the starting/finishing line while we finished the last 2 rounds...they cheered us on!

Unfortunately, Jessica has been sick. So she supported Grandma by resting at home. She really wanted to attend, but having a nasty cold going into her lungs didn't allow for it!

Here is Ryan & Jessica showing off their hats.

Ryan was also unable to be in Denver...instead, he had a marching band practice that lasted from 10 am to 4 pm. During that time, he proudly wore his hat in support of those of us walking in Denver and Arizona.

Isn't he so handsome in his uniform...especially when he trades his beret in for his ALS cap.

What an experience. We will do this again next year! While there is no cure for ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, we hope that by raising money, a cure will eventually be found. We were quite impressed by one family who was walking for their deceased father. He died of ALS in 1975, and they are still walking. Everyone there was walking FOR someone...either for someone who currently had it or for someone who had died because of the disease. There were many teams, each with some way of distinguishing themselves; some with t-shirts, others with hats and EVERYONE with smiles. They had entertainment...there was a man who sang the entire time everyone was walking. Talk about a difficult thing to do. I don't know how many people who can sing for over 1 1/2 hours straight without stopping. Just him and his guitar....and, he donated his talent. Lunch was also provided (although we didn't want to stand in line...for the lunch or the port-a-potties). So, we ended up going out to lunch. YUM!

Thanks to all who supported us...not just monetarily. ALS affects the WHOLE family. Some days seems easy, others are difficult. It is nice to know that we have friends and family who are there for us to lean on!