I recently met Cory Fox from Grants Pass, OR. He shared, “When I was diagnosed with ALS, I was not sure where to turn. Navigating healthcare and life decisions was overwhelming.” That’s where ALS Northwest stepped in. Through our Southern Oregon ALS Support Group, Cory connected with others who helped him navigate difficult decisions with the collective knowledge of their lived experience. ALS Northwest champions a powerful network of support groups across the region because bringing families living with ALS together makes a difference. This is only possible because of donations made by our community.
Like so many people with ALS, Cory is remarkable. His adaptability and honesty are qualities that benefit all who meet him at our Support Group each month. Cory and his wife Lacey moved to Grants Pass in 1994, both for Cory’s career as a firefighter and so they could start a family. Cory quickly became a pillar of the community, and now has two daughters: Olivia, age 21, and Kennedy, age 17.
Before his ALS diagnosis, Cory enjoyed serving on the school PTA board, riding Harleys, playing golf, taking RV trips, going whitewater rafting, and staying involved in his daughters’ sports teams. When he noticed a small tremor in his left hand, Cory made an appointment with his doctor, who diagnosed him with ALS in December 2020.
The Fox Family connects regularly with others in the ALS community through ALS Northwest. They work with ALS Northwest Care Services Coordinator Laura Geilenfeldt (pictured) and attend her monthly ALS Support Group meetings. When Cory and his wife first attended ALS Support Group, he was learning. Now, Cory and Lacey regularly mentor others and share knowledge about caregiving and adaptive strategies that have worked for them.
Taking a proactive approach to his care and quality of life is crucial for Cory. “When my legs started getting weak, we brought in more devices – first, a manual wheelchair. Now, lying in bed where I’m most comfortable.” Friends and family have also adapted as Cory has, visiting him where he’s most comfortable, in his bedroom. Lacey says a couple of the guys “just curl up right next to him to watch the football games!”
Support people living with ALS. When you make a donation today, you ensure care services can continue for people living with ALS, and that no one has to face this diagnosis alone.
While ALS may have limited his physical abilities, Cory chooses to focus on the positive and on what he can still do. He exemplifies an ability to adapt with an inspiring and head-on fearlessness. An open book, he tells his story bravely and honestly in the hopes of supporting others who can learn from his coping strategies.
I hope you are as inspired by Cory as I am. Will you donate today in his honor and support the 580 families living with ALS that we serve every year?
Onward,
Amy Easton – Development Director