Man With ALS Striving to Help Others Facing the Disease by Making Memories in Las Vegas Community
By TheNevadaGlobeStaff, December 21, 2022 7:01 am
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (702 Times, NV Globe) – A progressive neurodegenerative illness that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, often known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
A new effort born from one man’s personal experience and desire to help others.
“I have to use a chair and I can’t walk on my own and you can hear what it has done to my voice,” said Joey Porrello who was diagnosed with ALS.
Joey Porrello may be unable to walk or speak properly, but he is all smiles, focused on the happy times and people near and dear to his heart.
“I have a beautiful wife Ali and two kids,” said Porrello. “A two-and-a-half-year-old. A rambunctious little girl and a precious perfect little boy named Walden that is 5 months old.”
Joey stated that no one goes through ALS alone, and that his wife has been his support.
“You really see and feel how much people love you when they respond to adversity, and she does it with such grace and compassion,’ said Porrello.
Over 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS each year, with a life expectancy of two to five years.
“You never know how quick or slow this is going to go,” said Porrello.
Joey stated that he purchased concert tickets prior to the onset of his ALS symptoms.
“When it finally came around, I could no longer get to the seats I purchased,” said Porrello.
He encountered a stumbling block when attempting to convert his general admission tickets to disability tickets.
“Their promoter had said we won’t refund your tickets,” said Porrello.
When the ALS Association learned of this, they decided to take action.
“The one thing an ALS patient wants is time and we can’t give them time but we can give them memories and we are going to take the Porrello project named after joey and just turn it into a new program,” said executive director for ALS Nevada chapter.
A family dealing with an ALS diagnosis spends an average of $250,000 a year just on medical expenditures.
The ALS Foundation now says it wants to assist cover day-to-day necessities, such as house improvements or money for a date night or a concert.
“To give these terminally diagnosed people a reason to get out of the house and make a memory with their family and enjoy a night when ALS is not at the forefront,” said Porrello.
The Porrello project will begin construction in 2023. The ALS Foundation obtained a $50,000 grant to get the initiative started, but it is always in need of funds.
Credits: Fox 5 Vegas
Copyright 2022 702 Times, NV Globe. All rights reserved.
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