My younger sister Jane was a 47 year old lawyer, college professor, and the single mother of a seven year old son when, about 11 years ago, she first developed symptoms of muscle weakness and incoordination. Ultimately, it was determined that Jane had that most horrifying disease – ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, an progressive and invariably fatal motor neuron disease. Due to the young age of her son at diagnosis, Jane opted to live as a paralyzed and ventilator-dependent person in order to continue participation in raising her son and to see him grow to adulthood, if possible. Time went on and Jane was forced to medically retire from her faculty position when she could no longer walk or drive safely to work. She eventually became a resident at an assisted living facility for neurologically ill/impaired individuals.
This past December, I was struggling to come up with a Christmas gift idea for Jane. What do you give a totally paralyzed, and ventilator dependent person, but who’s mind is still as sharp and alert as ever? I googled, “Christmas gifts for hospice patients”, and found Life on Record.
Jane received several calls from her former colleagues, friends, and family to her Life on Record 800 message line. Jane died March 4, 2015. In the week prior to her death, on her last day of consciousness, she listened to her messages. I could tell that they pleased her enormously, and I was so thankful to have found Life on Record for her.
I am so happy and grateful for your service! I believe my sister died just a little happier due to her messages from Life on Record.