News & Stories

Living Well with ALS: Karolyn Dibetta

January 8, 2025 Comments Off on Living Well with ALS: Karolyn Dibetta

Karolyn Dibetta lives on a peaceful, hilltop property spanning 14 acres in the small town of Merlin, Oregon (near Medford). Recently diagnosed with ALS, Karolyn is navigating this journey with…

George Lee

Living Well with ALS: George Lee

January 5, 2025 Comments Off on Living Well with ALS: George Lee

George Lee lives in Bend, Oregon with his wife Caryn and cat Tuffin. George is an Army Veteran with a long and distinguished career as a Military Police Officer and…

John and Sherry Morehouse at dinner

Living Well with ALS: John Morehouse

November 13, 2024 Comments Off on Living Well with ALS: John Morehouse

John Morehouse of Hood River, OR speaks highly of the services available to him through ALS Northwest. He shared, “I’ve never experienced the kind of support I get for ALS……

Terry Smith and his Walk team

The Power of ALS Research: Terry Smith

August 14, 2024 Comments Off on The Power of ALS Research: Terry Smith

A new treatment in 2023 changed the medical landscape for Terry Smith, a person living with ALS in Hood River, Oregon. This article is from the 2023 Annual Report. Terry…

Colin Meagher

Living Well with ALS: Colin Meagher

July 10, 2024 Comments Off on Living Well with ALS: Colin Meagher

Colin Meagher’s story is one of adventure. A former photographer by trade, Colin also had a passion for snowboarding, climbing, and other high-adrenaline outdoor activities. He attends the Hood River ALS…

A man with ALS standing in front of a view of a mountain in the background

Moments I’ll Never Forget: Whitney Parnell’s Story

June 28, 2024 Comments Off on Moments I’ll Never Forget: Whitney Parnell’s Story

Whitney Parnell is a current board member. She generously contributed the story below about her father, Steven Stern, and his ALS diagnosis. Steven passed away in 2015. When someone you…

A smiling woman rides a trike alongside a dog

Living Well with ALS: Rhonda Baumann

June 14, 2024 Comments Off on Living Well with ALS: Rhonda Baumann

Rhonda Baumann is a long-time participant of the ALS Ride. She gathers her community annually for the Beers and Gears ALS Ride in July. Rhonda resides with her husband in…

Deirdre Leiner, a person living with ALS

Living Well with ALS: Deirdre Leiner

May 21, 2024 Comments Off on Living Well with ALS: Deirdre Leiner

Deirdre Leiner wasn’t shocked when she received her ALS diagnosis in September 2023. Her father, grandfather, and even great-grandfather all had the disease. Familial ALS is rare and comprises 5-10%…

Glenn Freese sitting in his home

Living Well with ALS: Glenn Freese

April 1, 2024 Comments Off on Living Well with ALS: Glenn Freese

Glenn Freese is a people-person and musician who now advocates for those in assisted living facilities.  Like many people living with ALS, Glenn noticed symptoms years before his official diagnosis.…

Alice McGrew smiles

Living Well with PLS: Alice McGrew

March 28, 2024 Comments Off on Living Well with PLS: Alice McGrew

I recently met Alice McGrew at her home in Vancouver, WA, along with her service dog Cindy Lou. From the table in her dining room, we enjoyed a serene view…