Help Joe Battle ALS
Help Joe and Maureen meet the rising costs of ALS, from the wheelchair and van he needs now to the in-home care he’ll need next.
Joe's Journey
On October 16, 2025, Joe was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS. ALS has increasingly limited Joe's mobility and independence, but the right equipment can help him remain safe, comfortable, and engaged in everyday life.
Our immediate goal is to help cover the cost of a medically necessary power wheelchair and a wheelchair-accessible van. However, as Joe’s ALS progresses, his care and equipment needs, and the expenses associated with them, will continue to grow.
The cost of a wheelchair accessible van and one year of personal care - neither of which is covered by insurance - is nearly $200,000. That is why we want to raise $250,000 to help Joe and Maureen with this terrible disease.
Please Help
The cost of caring for someone with ALS is staggering. You can make a difference.
Needs Today:
Joe and Maureen have always loved the open road. They want to get back to the road trips they cherish and to visiting their kids and grandkids. Joe now requires a power chair that weighs over 400 lbs. Without an wheelchair accessible van, Joe will be trapped at home. Let's help give them back the freedom ALS has taken.
Needs Later:
The power wheelchair, accessible van and ramp are Joe’s immediate priorities, but ALS will create additional needs. These may include paid caregivers, bathroom and doorway modifications, transfer equipment, specialized bedding, communication technology, backup power and recurring care supplies.
Many of these costs are not covered by health insurance. Paid assistance alone can cost $35 to $42 per hour, or approximately $73,000 to $87,000 per year for 40 hours of help each week. Contributions will help meet Joe’s needs today while preparing for the substantial caregiving and accessibility expenses still ahead.
Help get Joe & Maureen back on the road.
It's been one year since Joe was diagnosed with ALS. In that time, so much has changed, but his love for Maureen, and their love of the open road, remain.
Their road trips began while they were dating, with Joe driving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania to see her. In this video, they share those memories, and their hope of making more.
How You Can Help
* Please note that contributions are personal gifts to Joe and are not tax-deductible.
What is ALS?
ALS is a progressive nervous system disease
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive nervous system disease that destroys the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles, leading to gradual muscle weakness and loss of control.
There is no cure for ALS.
Pictured:
Lou Gehrig playing for the New York Yankees in 1923.
ALS causes a breakdown in your body's "wiring."
Think of your brain as a computer and your muscles as lightbulbs. Normally, the brain sends signals down "wires" (called motor neurons) to tell your muscles to move. In ALS, these wires slowly wear out and snap.
Because the signals can no longer reach the lightbulbs, the bulbs turn off—meaning the muscles stop working.
What Happens to the Body?
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The "Wires" Break Down: The disease targets only the nerves that control voluntary movements, like walking, talking, and swallowing.
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The Muscles Fade: Because the muscles aren't getting messages from the brain anymore, they become weak and eventually waste away.
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The Mind Stays Awake: In most cases, ALS does not affect a person's ability to think, see, hear, taste, or feel. The "computer" is still fully functional, but it can no longer control the "machinery."
The Reality of the Disease
At this point, Joe is entirely dependent on his Family for help with the most basic aspects of day-to-day life:
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It is progressive: It starts small—like a weak hand or a tripping foot—but slowly spreads until a person can no longer move, talk, or breathe on their own.
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There is no cure: While treatments can manage symptoms and extend life, it is currently a terminal illness.
The video here demonstrates the challenges of everyday living for Joe and Maureen. This video was filmed on September 30, 2026, only 1 short year after Joe's initial diagnosis.