Angie Quandt’s story was featured at the ALS Northwest Wine, Dine & Unwind event in early 2026. She exemplifies grace while navigating ALS with the help of her family and ALS Northwest.
When Angie Quandt first began noticing something wasn’t right, it felt subtle enough that it was easy to explain away.
In December 2021, she started tripping on her right foot. At first, she assumed it was a pinched nerve in her back or something minor. But the symptoms didn’t stop. They progressed. Falls became more frequent. Angie broke her foot. Then her wrist. Each incident added urgency, but access to a neurologist took time.
By July 2022, a neuro physical therapist made it clear that this was serious, and Angie should see a neurologist immediately.
Looking back, the diagnosis still felt abrupt. “It was a sucker punch,” Angie remembered.
But one of the hardest moments didn’t come with the diagnosis itself. It came afterward, when Angie and her husband, Marty, had to decide how to tell their children. Eventually, they called a family meeting and asked everyone to come to the house.
“It was horrible to have to let your kids know that their mom has ALS,” Marty said. “We had to tell them there’s no cure.” Angie remembers their reaction vividly. “I just remember the girls’ reaction – I’ll never forget their faces. It was so difficult.”
From Fear to Intention
But something shifted with that conversation. What began as a moment centered on fear and loss gradually turned into something else: intention.
“It ended up being a better memory, from talking about death to refocusing on LIFE!” Angie said. “We started to focus more on things like travel, upcoming life events, and Disneyland.” Angie loves all things Disney, and they made immediate plans to go there as a family.
Since Angie’s diagnosis, the family has celebrated two weddings and welcomed four grandchildren. Life expanded. And the Quandts have faced ALS together through it all.
“We get a lot of help from the kids,” Angie shared – and the support goes both ways. Angie is deeply aware of how difficult it can be for her family to witness the progression of the disease. “I know it’s hard for the kids to see the deterioration more so than it is for me to live it,” she admitted.
The Quandts have also leaned on the free services from ALS Northwest, borrowing items like ramps and wheelchairs from the medical equipment loan closet. ALS Northwest Care Services Coordinators also provided a specialized list of family and individual counselors, helping the Quandts navigate the disease every step of the way. “ALS Northwest has just been amazing,” Angie expressed.
Living Well with ALS
Despite the seriousness of an ALS diagnosis, the Quandt family has made a conscious choice to orient themselves toward what can be done: supporting one another, staying engaged, and continuing to build memories. They’ve decided ALS doesn’t have to define every moment.
And they have learned that living with ALS doesn’t mean giving up joy; it just means being intentional about it.
Through it all, Angie continues to live her life surrounded by family, love, and purpose – choosing, again and again, to focus on life.
Learn more about how Angie lives well with ALS in the video below.