Years ago my mother and my best friend, Enger, planned a surprise party for my birthday. It was just a keg, some balloons and a pile of friends, but it meant the world to me — I was so surprised when I walked into my dirty, second floor apartment at The Woodrow and saw all those smiling faces. It’s been a while since that day (30 years!!), but yesterday I felt that same feeling of overwhelming confusion and love.

I’m not someone who ever had a bookshelf full of awards, but now I have one, and it is proudly sitting on my mantel. 

Folks at ALD Connect asked me earlier in the week if I would help them as they gave an award to my friend Kathleen O’Sullivan-Fortin. I jumped at the chance of applauding her for all of her hard work — she’s a founding member of the the board of directors of ALD Connect and is responsible for bringing me into this community, while showing me tons of love and support. When it was time for the award ceremony, and I went upstairs to sit at the computer and brought Jack with me figuring that Jack could help me cheer for Kathleen. 

The call started. Suddenly Dan danced into the room with balloons and Anna congratulating me via his cell phone. Then Kimmy V walked up the stairs with streamers, holding a trophy.

Holy smokes!

I’ve sat through these award ceremonies and always felt that the awards were so earned. Amazing people who have done so much for the ALD community. Yesterday I was honored along with Nic and Alison Adler, Kathleen O’Sullivan- Fortin and Dr. Keith Van Haren — some of my ALD heroes. To share such an honor with that crew seems a little odd to me. ALD Connect has done far more for me and our family than I would ever be able to do. They have educated us and supported us and given us a community. 

Community.

If you are reading this, I want you to stop and ask yourself if you have a community. If you don’t — find one. 

ALD is the worst thing that has ever happened to our family. It’s a shitty disease that stole so much from Jack and is now effecting my mother. It has me in constant fear of when I will develop symptoms that might make caring for Jack difficult. It’s a disease that has taken the lives of so many sons, nephews, brothers, fathers. I hate every ounce of this disease, but I’m so lucky to have found this community of remarkable people. They hold me up and provide support. They share information and are always there when I need to yell and scream or laugh and cry.

If I could, I would return this beautiful blue trophy — but I can’t, so I will put it on my mantel and remind myself every time I see it that ALD sucks — but the people are amazing — and maybe a little nuts to recognize me;)

ALD — shitty disease/amazing people.

Love, Jess

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