Dawn Tucker’s Fight with ALS
Launch the media gallery 1 playerBy Alanna McKeown
The past few years have been very hard for Dawnn Tucker and her family between doctors appointments, medical equipment, diagnostic testing medications and much more.
So to help out the Tucker family, local physical therapist Lane Rohrich has put together a gofundme account for the family, as well as organizing an event on April 28 at 1 p.m. The public is invited to a “Walk with Dawnn” event at Willow Creek State Recreational Area. Although ALS has taken Tucker’s ability to walk or run, she takes her electric wheelchair for a spin out at Willow on the trails. Plan to join Dawnn, by being her feet, and walk with her to fight ALS
Tucker states, “I try to keep a positive attitude because ALS is stealing so much from me, I don't want it to steal my happiness.”
ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is a neuromuscular disease that causes death of motor neurons and causes progressive weakness in the muscles throughout the body. Sadly there is no cure for ALS. Only 5000 Americans in the U.S. are diagnosed each year.
Dawnn Tucker is the librarian for the Lied Pierce Public Library. She was diagnosed with ALS two years ago. ALS affects many parts of Tucker’s daily life. She used to be very independent and now she has been becoming more dependent on her family members.
Back in December she stopped driving because it was becoming too hard to move her rollater in and out of her van. Now she has her family members pick her up or take her to places. Some other things that are affected is her walking ability. She is no longer able to walk without any assistance. She normally uses an electric wheelchair or her power chair.
A couple things she has learned is when she is sleeping she wears silky pajamas with silky bed sheets so it is easier for her to roll over in bed. Otherwise it was getting very difficult for her to roll over and move at night. Her hands are very weak so even trying to lift things that are one or two pounds is difficult for her. She can grip them but oftentimes drops them.
Tucker is very thankful for her electric wheelchair because it gives her some freedom to still work and to move around and do things with people. Otherwise she would most likely be homebound. When she showers she no longer can stand due to the fact she does not have the balance nor the strength to stand for long periods of time. Something that has more recently started happening to Tucker is turning pages in books with her right hand. So she tends to read more online books or listen to audio books.
Do not forget to join Tucker out at the northeast entrance to Willow on April 28 at 1 p.m. Those interested may sign up ahead of time or show up by 12:45 the day of the event.
