Lowe’s Home Modification Grant Makes Life Easier for ALS Patients

April 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Charlotte, N.C. -- Jane Reid, who lives near Charlotte, is 58 years old and has been living with ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, for over two years.  She is a mother of three and was diagnosed while her youngest child was in high school.  The diagnosis was devastating for the Reid family.

“My wife was diagnosed in 2006 and as her disease progressed she had difficulty with bathing and getting to a place where she could easily wash her hands,” said Wayne Reid, Jane’s husband. “Our house is 20 years old and was not handicap-friendly. We had no money available for a bathroom conversion from a tub to a roll-in shower until we submitted a grant application in December 2008.”

In early 2009, that application was approved in the amount of $3,000 and, with the help of caring individuals, the Reid family put it to good use.

“With the help of the Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter Association, Lowe’s and a host of volunteers, we completed the project in four days,” said Wayne Reid. “Jane can now safely roll into the shower and under the lavatory and has a new handicap toilet with hand rails completely accessible to her.”

There were a total of ten $3,000 grants awarded in March of 2009 to qualifying families affected by ALS in North Carolina.  These grants were made possible thanks to a generous donation from the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation.  

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Lowe’s for recognizing this need and stepping up to the plate,” said Jerry Dawson, president of the ALS Association’s Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter. “Without their generosity, the Lowe’s Home Modification Program would not have been possible and these needs would have gone unmet.”  

ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive motor neuron disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.  As patients progress through stages of the disease, performing even the most routine physical tasks can become more difficult as the patient loses the ability to control their muscles. In most cases, a person with ALS will need to have their home modified to allow for wheelchairs and other assistive devices to be used.  The Lowe’s Home Modification Program was designed to help those with ALS make needed modifications to their homes that enhance their quality of life.

There is no known cause for ALS, and there is no cure.  ALS affects approximately one in 800 men and one in 1200 women.  It is estimated that there are as many as 700 people in North Carolina currently living with ALS, and about 30,000 Americans who currently are living with the disease.

About the Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter
The Catfish Chapter has been serving PALS (People living with ALS) across North Carolina since 1987.  The Chapter has grown into an award-winning and nationally-recognized organization because of their efforts in service, advocacy, and fundraising.  The Chapter has been recognized by The ALS Association as Chapter of the Year in 2007 and 2008.  

The ALS Association is the only non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, the Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.

About the Lowe’s Charitable & Educational Foundation
Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country.  In 2008, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $25 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative.  Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2008 sales of $48.2 billion and has more than 1,650 stores in the United States and Canada.  For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.

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The ALS Association is the only non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, the Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.